Image processing apparatus, image processing method, job processing method, program, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

Page numbers on original document volumes that have been read are deleted from the read image information as a part of image processing, and page information sorted with the original document pages of multiple read original document volumes as a single document is superimposed onto the image information from which the page numbers have been deleted, following which the pages are printed out. The pages are thus provided with serial page numbers according to the sorting thereof, and situations wherein both original and new page numbers are present on the pages can be avoided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/680,866 filed Oct. 6, 2003 which claims priorityfrom Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-299742 filed Oct. 15, 2002,both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an imageprocessing method, a job processing method, a program, and a storagemedium, suitable for performing processing related to page numberinformation.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, digital photocopiers have been known which havefunctions for temporarily storing in memory image data read out from ascanner unit or the bitmap image data converted from PDL datatransmitted from a host computer through a network, and reading out anyof the stored original document image data from the memory so as torepetitively perform printout.

Furthermore, proposals are being made with regard to the aforementioneddigital photocopiers, which can be connected to a finisher havingfinishing functions of stapling, hole-punching, folding, bookbinding, orthe like, further having box functions wherein the settings data forfinishing processing, the layout of the images such as double-sideprinting and the like, are stored in the memory as job information atthe same time of storage of the image so as to perform printout basedupon the job information regardless of the timing of image input.

Furthermore, while the individual functions in multi-functionapparatuses such as scanning, printout, facsimile, and the like, arebecoming increasingly advanced, there are also demands of theaforementioned apparatuses to easily assemble multiple documents formedof multiple sources read out with the aforementioned scanning functions,into a single document booklet (composed booklet).

Furthermore, there is demand for the aforementioned apparatuses to printout the document booklet composed by the aforementioned printingfunctions with a serial number superimposed thereupon.

On the other hand, with the above-described box function, box-joiningprinting functions for printing selected multiple documents as a singledocument according to settings such as finishing processing, the layoutof images such as double-side printing or the like, and so forth, arebeing studied.

This function enables multiple different documents to be collected toform a single document, and furthermore, the order of the documents orthe like can be changed whenever suitable, and accordingly it is hopedthat output of documents can be made in a freer format.

Furthermore, proposals are being made with regard to the digitalphotocopiers including an inserting sheets function and a page-printingfunction.

Here, “inserting sheets function” means a function for inserting aspecial paper sheet such as a colored paper sheet between regular papersheets in order to section the document.

Note that an arrangement may be made wherein a regular paper sheet is beused as an inserted paper sheet, or an arrangement may be made whereinimages from an original document are printed out on the inserted papersheet.

Furthermore, “page-printing function” means a function for automaticallyprinting page numbers at the time of outputting a scanned image, forexample, and more specifically, a function for printing the page numberssuch as “-1-, -2-, . . . ”, which are automatically incremented, atdesired positions on the sheet.

However, in many cases, each document which is to be composed hasoriginal page numbers printed on header portions or footer portions ofthe original document in an individual format, and accordingly, printingof the new page numbers on the composed document might cause a problembecause the original page number which has been printed prior toreading-out and the new page number on the paper sheet both exist on thesame sheet.

With such a composed booklet, the original page numbers are uselessinformation and the new page numbers following composition of thedocuments are necessary information, and the present of both not onlyleads to poor appearance, but also leads to a problem in that the usermight become confused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processingapparatus, image processing method and job processing method, andprogram and storage medium and the like thereof, to solve theabove-described problems.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an imageprocessing apparatus, image processing method and job processing method,and program and storage medium and the like thereof, capable ofassigning sorted page numbers to an assembled document which isassembled from original document volumes and output, while avoiding asituation wherein both original page numbers and newly-assigned pagenumbers exist on the pages.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an imageprocessing apparatus, image processing method and job processing method,and program and storage medium and the like thereof, wherein theease-of-reading of page numbers in an assembled document created frommultiple original document volumes is markedly improved.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an imageprocessing apparatus, image processing method and job processing method,and program and storage medium and the like thereof, wherein pageinformation can be accurately assigned to jobs using box functions,thereby handling a wide variety of user demands regarding processing ofpage numbers.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to a first aspect ofthe present invention, an image processing apparatus, having readingmeans for reading individual original documents in a volume contained inoriginal document data, for performing image processing on imageinformation read by the reading means, comprises: deleting means fordeleting page numbers, printed on the original documents in the originaldocument volume, from image information read by the reading means; andassembling means for assembling images of page information of theindividual original document pages in a plurality of original documentvolumes read by the reading means, into a single sorted document.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an imageprocessing apparatus, having reading means for reading individualoriginal documents in an original document volume, for performing imageprocessing on image information read by the reading means, comprises:storage means capable of storing as jobs a plurality of sets of imageinformation made up of a plurality of pages read by the reading means;setting means for setting a joined output mode wherein jobs stored inthe storage means are joined and output as one job; selecting means forselecting jobs to be joined from the plurality of jobs stored in thestorage means in the event that the joined output mode has been set bythe setting means; number assigning means for assigning serial numbersto be output for printing the jobs selected by the selecting means; andcontrol means for printing each page in the jobs selected by theselecting means, with the serial numbers assigned by the numberassigning means.

According to a third second aspect of the present invention, an imageprocessing apparatus, having reading means for reading individualoriginal document images within an original document volume, andgenerating means for generating image information from printinginformation that is input, for performing image processing on imageinformation read by the reading means, or image information generated bythe generating means, comprises: storage means capable of storing asjobs a plurality of sets of image information made up of a plurality ofpages read by the reading means or image information generated by thegenerating means; setting means for setting a joined output mode whereinjobs stored in the storage means are joined and output as one job;selecting means for selecting jobs to be joined from the plurality ofjobs stored in the storage means in the event that the joining mode hasbeen set by the setting means; number assigning means for assigningserial numbers to be output for printing the jobs selected by theselecting means; and control means for printing the serial numbersassigned by the number assigning means with a printing unit onto eachpage in the jobs selected by the selecting means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a job processingmethod for an apparatus having box functions capable of selectivelyoutputting jobs stored in a storage unit capable of storing a pluralityof jobs each independent one from another, comprises: a selecting stepfor selecting jobs in the storage unit with the box functions; and acontrol step for generating output data equivalent to data created bydeleting page number data from the box function job data selected in theselecting step.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a job processingmethod for an apparatus having box functions capable of selectivelyoutputting jobs stored in a storage unit capable of storing a pluralityof jobs each independent one from another, comprises: a selecting stepfor selecting jobs in the storage unit with the box functions; and acontrol step for generating output data equivalent to data created byassigning both chapter number data and page number data to the boxfunction job data selected in the selecting step.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a job processingapparatus, having box functions capable of selectively outputting jobs,comprises: a storage unit capable of storing a plurality of jobs to beused by the box functions, each independent one from another; selectingmeans for selecting jobs in the storage unit with the box functions; andcontrol means for generating output data equivalent to data created bydeleting page number data from the box function job data selected in theselecting step.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a jobprocessing apparatus, having box functions capable of selectivelyoutputting jobs, comprises: a storage unit capable of storing aplurality of jobs to be used by the box functions, each independent onefrom another; selecting means for selecting jobs in the storage unitwith the box functions; and control means for generating output dataequivalent to data created by assigning both chapter number data andpage number data to the box function job data selected in the selectingstep.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a program, forcausing an apparatus, having box functions capable of selectivelyoutputting jobs stored in a storage unit capable of storing a pluralityof jobs each independent one from another, to execute a job processingmethod, comprises: code for a selecting step for selecting jobs in thestorage unit with the box functions; and code for a control step forgenerating output data equivalent to data created by deleting pagenumber data from the box function job data selected in the selectingstep.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a program, forcausing an apparatus, having box functions capable of selectivelyoutputting jobs stored in a storage unit capable of storing a pluralityof jobs each independent one from another, to execute a job processingmethod, comprises: code for a selecting step for selecting jobs in thestorage unit with the box functions; and code for a control step forgenerating output data equivalent to data created by assigning bothchapter number data and page number data to the box function job dataselected in the selecting step.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a storagemedium stores a program for causing the apparatus, having box functionscapable of selectively outputting jobs stored in a storage unit capableof storing a plurality of jobs each independent one from another, toexecute a job processing method, the program comprising: code for aselecting step for selecting jobs in the storage unit with the boxfunctions; and code for a control step for generating output dataequivalent to data created by deleting page number data from the boxfunction job data selected in the selecting step.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a storagemedium stores a program for causing the apparatus, having box functionscapable of selectively outputting jobs stored in a storage unit capableof storing a plurality of jobs each independent one from another, toexecute a job processing method, the program comprising: code for aselecting step for selecting jobs in the storage unit with the boxfunctions; and code for a control step for generating output dataequivalent to data created by assigning both chapter number data andpage number data to the box function job data selected in the selectingstep.

Thus, with an image processing apparatus which subjects imageinformation read by reading means to image processing, page numbersprinted on original document volumes are deleted from the imageinformation that has been read, and images of page information of theindividual original document pages in multiple original document volumesread by the reading means are assembled into a single sorted document.Accordingly, the present invention is advantageous in thatserially-sorted page numbers can be assigned to the pages of theassembled document, assembled of multiple original document volumes,while avoiding a situation wherein both original page numbers andnewly-assigned page numbers exist on the pages, thereby markedlyimproving the ease-of-reading of the page numbers in documents assembledfrom multiple original document volumes.

Also, with an image processing apparatus which subjects imageinformation read by reading means to image processing, multiple pagesread by the reading means are stored as jobs in storage means, and inthe event of setting a joined output mode wherein jobs stored in thestorage means are joined and output as one job, jobs to be joined areselected from the multiple jobs stored in the storage means, and serialnumbers to be output for printing the selected jobs are assignedthereto, following which each page in the selected jobs are printed witha printing unit, with the assigned serial numbers. Accordingly, thepresent invention is advantageous in that in the event of joiningmultiple volumes of input document information or read documentinformation into a single document which is to be output, sorted pagenumbers can be serially assigned according to the order of outputregardless of the page information already in the pages of the jobs tobe joined, thereby markedly improving the ease-of-reading of the pagenumbers in such assembled documents.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of the preferredembodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external view which illustrates an example of an imageprocessing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for describing a control configuration of animage processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram which illustrates an example of a first numberingsetting screen displayed on an operating unit shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram which illustrates an example of a second numberingsetting screen displayed on the operating unit shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for describing the state of a firstnumbering process for the image processing apparatus according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for describing the state of a secondnumbering process for the image processing apparatus according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for describing the state of a thirdnumbering process for the image processing apparatus according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for describing the state of a fourthnumbering process for the image processing apparatus according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart which shows an example of a first data processingprocedure for the image processing apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram which illustrates an example of animage processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for describing a system configuration of theimage processing apparatus shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a plan view which illustrates an example of the keyarrangement on an operating unit of a digital copier shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram which illustrates a copy standard screen displayedon an operating panel shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing logical portioning using for imagememory shown in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are flowcharts showing an example of a second dataprocessing procedure for the image processing apparatus according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram which illustrates an example of an operating screendisplayed on an LCD touch panel shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a diagram which illustrates an example of an operating screendisplayed on the LCD touch panel shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a diagram which illustrates an example of an operating screendisplayed on the LCD touch panel shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 19 is a diagram which illustrates the results of printing a joineddocument by the image processing apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram which illustrates an example of an operating screendisplayed on the LCD touch panel shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 21 is a diagram which illustrates an example of an operating screendisplayed on the LCD touch panel shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 22 is a diagram which illustrates an example of an operating screendisplayed on the LCD touch panel shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 23 is a diagram which illustrates an example of an operating screendisplayed on the LCD touch panel shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart which shows an example of a third data processingprocedure for the image processing apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for describing a memory map of a storage medium forstoring various kinds of data processing programs which can be read outby the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a document feeder for feeding onepaper sheet at a time on a platen glass of a scanner unit 2 frommultiple documents. Reference numeral 3 denotes a printer unit forprinting out the document image data read out from the scanner unit 2,or the image data generated from the print data received from anexternal device through an unshown interface unit. Reference numeral 4denotes a sheet feeding unit, having multiple sheet-feeding cassettes,for feeding a recording paper sheet of a desired size and type selectedtherefrom to the printer unit 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a sortingunit, having finishing functions, for subjecting the output paper sheetprinted by the printer unit 3 to predetermined post-processing(stapling, folding) or the like according to the instructions from theuser, and outputting to a discharge tray or a discharge bin.

Note that, with the present embodiment, while description will be mainlymade regarding an arrangement having multiple kinds of functions (atleast two kinds of functions) such as copy functions, scanningfunctions, box functions, facsimile functions, printer functions,transmission functions, or the like, i.e., a multi-function apparatus asan example, the present embodiment is not restricted to thisarrangement, and the present embodiment may be applied to asingle-function apparatus having one of the aforementioned functions.Furthermore, with the present embodiment, an arrangement may be madewherein multiple units such as the scanner unit 2, the printer unit 3,and the like, are encased within a single casing, or an arrangement maybe made wherein the scanner unit 2 and the printer unit 3 are encasedwithin individual casings. As described above, the present embodimentmay be applied to various kinds of function configurations and apparatusconfigurations (system configurations).

First Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for describing a control configuration of animage processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention, and corresponds to the control configuration of theimage processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Note that with the presentconfiguration, principal modules are connected with each other via asystem bus 201 for transmission/reception of data and control signals.The configuration is an example of the embodiment for description, andthe present invention may be applied to any configuration as long as theconfiguration satisfies any of the appended claims.

In FIG. 2, an operating unit 202 is a unit formed of single or multiplekeys, and a display device or a touch panel, which is a unit normallyprovided to such apparatuses, for enabling the input/output operationsby the user.

A primary storage device 203 and a secondary storage device 204 aredevices such as semiconductor storage devices, magnetic storage devices,or the like, for storing the data which is used for print processing bythe system, or the data which is used for the system, for a temporarytime or a long time.

A network adapter 205 is a device for performing transmission/receptionof information with external devices connected through a network. Aprotocol analyzing unit 206 is a device for processing the data receivedby the network adapter 205 according to the supported protocol so as toconvert to the data in an available format. Note that the operation ofthe network adapter 205 and the protocol analyzing unit 206 does notrelate to the essence of the present invention, so detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted.

A PDL converting unit 207 converts the Page Description Language data(PDL data) into image data, and the image data converted by the PDLconverting unit 207 is transmitted to a print engine 209 via a printerengine controller 208 in order to perform physical printout processing.Detailed description thereof will be also omitted due to the same reasonas above.

A scan engine 211 and a scan engine controller 210 are devices foroptically scanning a document sheet so as to be converted to electronicinformation. Detailed description thereof will be also omitted due tothe same reason as above.

An billing management unit 212 is a module for managing billing in orderto charge the user rightly according to the usage of the apparatus orthe amount of the expendable supplies used for printing or the like.Detailed description thereof will be also omitted due to the same reasonas above.

A numbering control unit 214 is a unit for generating and synthesizingnumbering information, and performing detection, deletion, or the like,of original numbering information contained in the image data.

A main controller 213 is a unit for controlling the entire MFP system,and for performing processing so as to effect the functions according tothe present invention, based on the primary storage device 203 andsecondary storage device 204.

FIG. 3 is a diagram which illustrates an example of a first numberingsetting screen displayed on the operating unit 202 shown in FIG. 2,wherein multiple buttons are displayed on a touch panel, and upon theuser pressing a desired button, the desired button is selected. Notethat the system has a configuration wherein a screen is selected fromvarious kinds of operating screens such as the setting screen shown inFIG. 3, a setting screen shown in FIG. 4 described later, and the like,and displayed on the display unit of the operating unit 202, under thecontrol of the main controller 213 shown in FIG. 2.

Upon the user selecting the numbering function by operating unshown keysof the operating unit 202, the system outputs and displays the operatingscreen as shown in FIG. 3 on the display unit of the operating unit 202.The user can set the layout of the numbering information on the printedsheet via the operating screen shown in FIG. 3.

With the present embodiment, the user can select the portion on thesheet at which the numbering information is printed, from the sixoptions of the “top” 302, “bottom” 305, “upper-left” 301, “upper-right”303, “lower-left” 304, and “lower right” 306, and upon the user pressinga button, the corresponding option is selected. That is to say, upon theuser selecting a printing portion with any of the keys 302 through 306on the operating screen shown in FIG. 3, the main controller 213performs control so as to provide page information to the originaldocument data, which is to be subjected to numbering processing, at theportion corresponding to the portion selected by the user with theoperating screen shown in FIG. 3, so as to generate the data containingthe new page information, and so as to output the generated data.

Furthermore, with the present embodiment, the option of “upper-left” 301is selected as the default setting. Upon the user selecting a desirednumbering portion with one of the keys 301 through 305 on a userinterface screen shown in FIG. 3, and pressing a “next” button 309, thedisplay on the display unit of the operating unit 202 is controlled sothat the operating screen shown in FIG. 3 is switched to the nextsetting screen. Note that, in the event that the user press a “return”button 307 or “cancel” button 308, the system performs control so thatthe numbering setting is canceled, and the operating screen displayed onthe operating unit 202 is closed so that the display unit is returned tothe state as before displaying of the operating screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram which illustrates an example of a second numberingsetting screen displayed on the operating unit 202 shown in FIG. 2,corresponding to the situation wherein the “next” button 309 on theoperating screen shown in FIG. 3 is pressed by the user, and shows anexample of a numbering setting screen to be displayed on the displayunit of the operating unit 202.

FIG. 4 shows an operating screen having multiple touch panel keysincluding keys 401 and 402. The system has a configuration wherein theuser can select the option whether the page numbers contained in theoriginal image data are deleted, or leave the page numbers withoutchange, at the time of printing the numbering information with thebuttons 401 and 402 on the operating screen shown in FIG. 4.

Description will be made regarding the reason why the system has such afunction. For example, let us say that in the event of providing thepage numbers to the job, which is original document data and has beeninput to the present image processing apparatus, using theaforementioned numbering function, the original document data which isto be subjected to numbering processing contains the original pagenumbers (e.g., in a case that the original document data containing thepage numbers is read out from the scanner of the present imageprocessing apparatus, or in a case that the document data is formed inan external device such as a host computer or the like, settings aremade so that the page numbers are provided to the document data, thedocument data wherein the settings of the page numbers have been made isoutput from the external device, and the output document data is inputto the present image processing apparatus, the document data, which isto be subjected to the numbering function and is to be output, containsthe page numbers provided beforehand).

In a case that such a job (original document data) is subjected tonumbering processing, with the conventional configuration wherein thepage information is provided in a simple manner without taking the stateof the original document into consideration, both the original pagenumbers contained in the original document data beforehand (the pageinformation of the original document which has been provided before thenumbering processing being performed with the aforementioned numberingfunction), and the new page numbers which are provided with theaforementioned numbering function on the output data, are present. Inthis case, the conventional problems occurs in that the user mightbecome confused at the time of obtaining the output sheet.

In order to solve the above-described problems, in the event that theimage processing apparatus according to the present invention performsthe processing using the numbering function, the main controller 213performs control so as to enable the first processing (processingperformed according to the instructions set by the user with the settingscreen shown in FIG. 3) for providing new page information (the newestpage information) to the original document data, which is to besubjected to numbering processing, using the aforementioned numberingfunction, and also so as to enable the second processing (processingperformed according to the instructions set by the user with the settingscreen shown in FIG. 4) for deleting the page information (old pageinformation), which has been provided beforehand, contained in theaforementioned original document data, which is to be subjected tonumbering processing, in order to solve the above-described problems,whereby both of or either of the processing is performed for theoriginal document data which is to be subjected to numbering processing.

Keeping in mind that not all users might need such processing, thesystem has a configuration wherein the option whether or not suchprocessing is to performed can be selected by the user. The maincontroller 213 has a configuration wherein the option whether or noteach processing is performed can be selected by the user with the keys401 and 402 on the operating screen, shown in FIG. 4, displayed on thedisplay unit of the operating unit 202 of the present image processingapparatus.

For example, in the event that the user performs the first setting forproviding the new page information to the original document data whichis to be subjected to numbering processing, using the settings screenshown in FIG. 3 out of the multiple setting screens relating to thenumbering function, and makes settings so as to enable deletionprocessing to be performed by pressing the key 401 in the settingsscreen shown in FIG. 4, the main controller 213 effects control so as toperform both the first processing for providing the new page informationto the original document data, which is to be subjected to numberingprocessing, according to the processing conditions set in the settingscreen shown in FIG. 3, and the second processing for deleting theprevious page information in the original document data, which is to besubjected to the numbering processing, according to the setting screenshown in FIG. 4. On the other hand; in the event that the user performsthe first setting for providing the new page information to the originaldocument data which is to be subjected to numbering processing, usingthe settings screen shown in FIG. 3 out of the multiple setting screensrelating to the numbering function, and makes settings so as to disablethe deletion processing by pressing the key 402 in the setting screenshown in FIG. 4, the main controller 213 effects control such that, ofthe aforementioned first and second processing, the second processing isnot performed, and only the first processing is performed (that is tosay, the main controller 213 performs control so as to provide new pageinformation to the original document data while leaving the previouspage information, which has been provided to the original document datawhich is to be subjected to numbering processing, remaining as outputdata without deletion).

As described above, the system has both a mode for generating andoutputting the output results corresponding to the data wherein the newpage information has been provided while leaving the previous pageinformation remaining in the input original document data, and a modefor generating and outputting the output results corresponding to thedata wherein the previous page information in the input originaldocument data has been deleted and only the new page information hasbeen provided. Furthermore, the system has a configuration wherein theuser can select either of the aforementioned modes, whereby the systemcan handle various kinds of needs of the user.

Furthermore, the system has a configuration wherein, in the event thatthe processing is performed for deleting the page information (old pageinformation), which has been provided to the original documentbeforehand, from the original document data, the user can select theregion (portion) where the deletion processing is to be performed usingthe keys 403 through 408, described later, on the screen shown in FIG.4, i.e., the user can decide the region on the original document datawhere the data is to be deleted, whereby the data on the region wherethe user has decided, in the original document data which is to besubjected to numbering processing, is deleted. Furthermore, in the eventthat the user selects the key 409, described later, in the screen shownin FIG. 4, this image processing apparatus automatically detects thedeletion object region (portion), i.e., automatically determines theregion where the data is to be deleted, whereby the data is deleted fromthe region on the original document data based upon the detectedresults. The system has a configuration wherein such control isperformed, whereby the previous page information can be suitably deletedfrom any portion of the original document data which is to be subjectedto the numbering processing.

In the event that the user selects the “delete” key 401 in the operatingscreen shown in FIG. 4, the page numbers (old page information), whichhave been provided beforehand, contained in the original document data,are deleted, and accordingly, there is the need to provide theinformation regarding which portion (region) the page number has beenput to the main controller 213. Accordingly, in the event that the userselects the “delete” key 401 on the operating screen shown in FIG. 4,the system performs control so that the user can set the portion wherethe page numbers have been put on the sheet (in the original documentdata) with the keys 403 through 408. Furthermore, in the event that theuser selects “automatic specification” by pressing the “automaticspecification” key 409, the system performs control so that thenumbering control unit 214 detects the portion on the image data wherethe page number has been put.

While various types of methods are known for detecting theaforementioned portion, the numbering control unit 214 according to thepresent embodiment detects the page-number portion from the distributionof the pixel histogram obtained by scanning the image data on the upperend and the lower end, based upon the fact that in most cases, the pagenumber is put on the upper end or the lower end on the region of theimage.

The detection algorithm does not relate to the essence of the presentinvention, so detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that itis needless to say that the present invention encompasses variousmodifications employing any detection algorithm as long as theconfiguration satisfies any of the appended claims.

Furthermore, in the event that the user does not select the “automaticspecification” 409, the system performs control so that the user can setthe portion in manual mode. With the present embodiment, the user canselect the portion from the upper-left 403, top 404, upper-right 405,lower-left 406, bottom 407, and lower-right 408.

Upon the user pressing any of these buttons, the system determines theportion where the page number has been put on the sheet based upon theimage region information which has been provided to the systembeforehand. Note that, in the event that the user selects the “automaticspecification” 409, selection of the upper-left 403, upper 404,upper-right 405, lower-left 406, bottom 407, and lower-right 408, isignored. For example, in the event that the user presses the “automaticspecification” key 409, the system performs control so as to cancel theselection of the keys 403 through 408, and so as to enable the automaticsetting. On the other hand, in the event that the user presses any ofthe keys 403 through 408, the system performs control so as to cancelthe selection of the “automatic selection” key 409, and so as to enablethe user setting which has been set by the user pressing any of the keys403 through 408.

Upon the user pressing OK button 412, the main controller 213 judgesthat the setting of the numbering function, selected by the user withthe numbering setting screen such as the operating screen shown in FIG.3, the operating screen shown in FIG. 4, or the like, has ended, andperforms control so that the processing flow proceeds to the mainprocessing of the numbering processing. In the event that the userpresses the cancel button 411, the system effects control so as tocancel the numbering setting screen, and so as to restore the state tothe state as before setting operation. In this case, the numberingprocessing is not performed. In the event that the user presses the“return” button 410, the system performs control so as to return thescreen to the settings screen shown in FIG. 3.

It is needless to say that while the system has a configuration whereinthe user can make settings with the settings screen for setting thesecond numbering function shown in FIG. 4, for deletion of the pageinformation (old page information) which has been provided to theoriginal document data beforehand, the system also has a configurationwherein the user can make settings with the settings screen for settingthe first numbering function shown in FIG. 3, for performing only theprocessing for providing the new page information without performing theaforementioned settings for deletion (without performing deletion of theprevious page information) with regard to the original document datawhich is to be subjected to numbering processing.

Furthermore, while, with the present embodiment, the system performsdisplay control so that immediately following displaying the operatingscreen shown in FIG. 4, the “not deleted” key 402 is selected indefault, the present embodiment may have a configuration wherein the“delete” key 401 is selected in default, or may have a configurationwherein the user can specify which of these keys is to be selected indefault under other modes such as administrator setting, initialsetting, or the like, and the key selected by the initial setting isselected on the operating screen shown in FIG. 4 in default.

In the event that the user selects the “delete” key 401, the systemperforms control so as to delete the page information on the regioncorresponding to the region information obtained based upon theinstructions from the keys 402 through 409, from the original documentdata, and so as to provide the new page information to theaforementioned original document data according to the conditions whichhave been set on the setting screen shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand,in the event that the user selects the “not deleted” key 402, the systemperforms control so as to provide the new page information to theoriginal document data according to the conditions which have been seton the setting screen shown in FIG. 3, while leaving the original pageinformation (old page information) remaining in the original documentdata without change (the previous page information is not deleted) evenin the event that the original document data contains the previous pageinformation.

Furthermore, with the present embodiment, the system has multiplesetting screens serving as setting screens for the numbering function,including the settings screen shown in FIG. 3 for performing processingfor providing the new page information (the new page information) to theoriginal document data which is to be subjected to numbering processing,and the settings screen shown in FIG. 4 for performing processing fordeleting the page information (old page information) which has beenprovided to the original document data which is to be subjected tonumbering processing beforehand, and the main controller 213 effectscontrol so that a suitable screen is selected from the aforementionedsetting screens and is displayed on the display unit of the operatingunit 202. Furthermore, while the present embodiment has a configurationwherein the setting screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed corresponding tothe input from an unshown key for selecting the numbering function,following which the display flow proceeds to displaying of the settingscreen shown in FIG. 4, the present invention is not restricted to thisconfiguration, and an arrangement may be made wherein the setting screenshown in FIG. 4 is displayed, following which the operating screen shownin FIG. 3 is displayed. Furthermore, an arrangement may be made whereinthe multiple independent setting screens are displayed at differenttimes, an arrangement may be made wherein the setting screens aredisplayed at the same time, or an arrangement may be made wherein asingle operating screen including the operation keys on the operatingscreen shown in FIG. 3 and the operating keys on the operating screenshown in FIG. 4 is displayed so that the user can perform setting forthe above-described two kinds of processing. With any of theabove-described arrangements, an user interface should be designed forease of use of the user.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for describing a first state of thenumbering processing of the image processing apparatus according to thepresent invention, wherein three consecutive pages of image data (i.e.,the original input data which is to be subjected to the numberingprocessing) containing multiple pages are shown. With the aforementionedexample, the page numbers have been placed around the center of thelower end of each image data. The image data corresponds to the originaldocument data wherein the page information (old page information) hasbeen provided prior to the numbering function being performed by thepresent image processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for describing a second state of thenumbering processing for the image processing apparatus according to thepresent invention, wherein an example of the output data (first outputexample) is shown, generated by the present image processing apparatusperforming the numbering processing for the original document data(original document data wherein the page information has been alreadyprovided), shown in FIG. 5 described above, which is to be subjected tothe numbering processing, according to the setting of the numberingfunction which has been set on the setting screen shown in FIG. 3 orFIG. 4. For example, in the event that the user selects the numberingfunction, selects the “upper-left” key 301 from the sixnumbering-portion options of the keys 301 through 306 on the numberingsetting screen shown in FIG. 3, and selects the “not deleted” key 402 onthe operating screen shown in FIG. 4, for the original input data, shownin FIG. 5, wherein the page information has been already provided, themain controller 213 performs control according to the above-describedinstructions so that the new page information is provided on theupper-left portion of the original document data while leaving theprevious page information contained in the original document data shownin FIG. 5 remaining therein without change. Thus, the output data asshown in FIG. 6 is generated.

As shown in FIG. 6, with the present example, the numbering informationis printed on the upper-left portion of the page, and the page numberscontained in the original image data are left remaining on the center ofthe bottom, as well.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for describing a third state of thenumbering processing for the image processing device according to thepresent invention, wherein another example of the output data (secondoutput example) is shown, generated by the present image processingapparatus performing the numbering processing for the original documentdata (original document data wherein the page information has beenalready provided), shown in FIG. 5 described above, which is to besubjected to the numbering processing, according to the setting of thenumbering function which has been set on the setting screen shown inFIG. 3 or FIG. 4, whereby the output result different from the exampleshown in FIG. 6 is obtained. For example, in the event that the userselects the numbering function, selects the “upper-left” key 301 fromthe six numbering-portion options of the keys 301 through 306 on thenumbering setting screen shown in FIG. 3, and selects the “delete” key401 on the operating screen shown in FIG. 4, for the original inputdata, shown in FIG. 5, wherein the page information has been alreadyprovided, the main controller 213 performs control so as to delete theprevious page information of the original document data shown in FIG. 5,and so as to provide the new page information at the upper-left portionof the original document data, according to the above-describedinstructions. Note that, as described above, in the event that the userselects the “delete” key 401 on the screen shown in FIG. 4, there is theneed to specifying the deletion region in the original image data. Inthis case, as shown in FIG. 5, the page numbers are contained on thecenter of the lower end in the original image data. Accordingly, theuser selects the method wherein the user selects the “lower portion” key407 on the operating screen shown in FIG. 4 in manual mode, or themethod wherein the user selects the “automatic specification” key 409 sothat the apparatus performs automatic detection of the deletion regionin the original image data (the apparatus automatically detects the pageinformation in the original image data), whereby the system obtains theinformation with regard to the deletion region, following which the maincontroller 213 performs control so that the page numbers contained onthe center of the lower end of the original image data shown in FIG. 5are deleted. Thus, the output data as shown in FIG. 7 is generated.

As shown in FIG. 7, with the present example, the page numbers at thecenter of the bottom of the original image data is deleted, and thenumbering information is printed on the upper-left portion.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for describing a fourth state of thenumbering processing for the image processing apparatus according to thepresent invention, wherein further another example of the output data(third output example) is shown, generated by the present imageprocessing apparatus performing the numbering processing for theoriginal document data (original document data wherein the pageinformation has been already provided), shown in FIG. 5 described above,which is to be subjected to the numbering processing, according to thesetting of the numbering function which has been set on the settingscreen shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, whereby the output result differentfrom the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is obtained. For example, inthe event that the user selects the numbering function, selects the“lower-portion” key 305 from the six numbering-portion options of thekeys 301 through 306 on the numbering setting screen shown in FIG. 3,selects the “delete” key 401 on the operating screen shown in FIG. 4,and selects the “lower portion” key 407 or the “automatic specification”key 409 on the operating screen shown in FIG. 4 so that the systemdetermines the deletion region to be the portion on the center of thelower end of the original image data, for the original input data, shownin FIG. 5, wherein the page information has been already provided, themain controller 213 effects control so as to delete the page informationcontained on the center portion of the lower end of the original imagedata shown in FIG. 5 according to the setting performed on the screenshown in FIG. 4, and so as to provide the new page information on thecenter portion of the lower end of the original image data according tothe setting performed on the screen shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the outputdata such as shown in FIG. 8 is generated.

As shown in FIG. 8, with the present example, the original page numberscontained in a portion of the original document data is deleted, and thenew numbering information is printed on the same portion.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart which shows an example of a first data processingprocedure of the image processing apparatus according to the presentinvention, and corresponds to the numbering control procedure of thecontrol performed by the main controller 213. Note that referencenumerals S901 through S910 denote steps.

First of all, the system waits for requests for processing input fromthe operating unit 202 by the user (Step S901). Upon the user making arequest with the operating unit 202, the flow proceeds to Step S902,judgment is made whether or not the numbering control is required(judgment is made based upon the fact whether or not the user presses anunshown operating key on the operating unit 202 for selecting theaforementioned numbering function, for example), and in the event thatprocessing other than the numbering control is required, otherprocessing is performed (S903), following which the flow returns to thestate for waiting for requests for processing shown in Step S901.

On the other hand, in Step S902, in the event that judgment is made thatthe numbering control is required by the user through the operating unit202, the flow proceeds to Step S904, and a suitable setting screen isselected from the setting screens shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 so as to bedisplayed on the operating unit 202 in order to prompt the user toperform setting for the numbering processing.

Subsequently, judgment is made whether or not the cancel button 411 onthe screen shown in FIG. 3 or the cancel button 308 on the screen shownin FIG. 4 is pressed during the setting by the user (Step S905), and inthe event that judgment is made that any one of the cancel buttons ispressed, the numbering processing is canceled without performing anyprocessing, and the flow returns to the state for waiting for requestsfor processing shown in Step S901.

On the other hand, in the event that judgment is made that no cancelbutton is pressed in Step S905, the flow proceeds to Step S906, judgmentis made whether or not the OK button 412 is pressed on the operatingscreen shown in FIG. 4, and in the event that judgment is made that theOK button 412 is not pressed, this means that settings are still beingmade, and accordingly, the flow returns to Step S904.

On the other hand, in Step S906, in the event that judgment is made thatthe OK button 412 is pressed, this means that the setting processing bythe user has ended, and accordingly, the various kinds of processingconditions with regard to setting for the numbering function, which havebeen set on the screens shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, are stored in unshownmemory, following which the flow proceeds to Step S907.

Subsequently, the system begins the actual numbering processing fromStep S907, wherein judgment is made whether or not the option that thepage numbers contained in the original image data are delete at the timeof numbering is selected, based upon the selection results from the keys401 and 402 shown in FIG. 4. In the event that judgment is made that theoption of deletion of the page numbers has been set by the “delete” key401 on the screen shown in FIG. 4 being selected, the flow proceeds toStep S908. In Step S908, the system performs control so that thenumbering control unit 214 performs image deletion processing for theimage data (old page information) on the portion of the page numbercorresponding to the deletion portion specified based upon the selectionresults from the keys 403 through 409 on the screen shown in FIG. 4,contained in the image data stored in the primary storage device 203 orthe secondary storage device 204, using the above-described method,following which the flow proceeds to Step S909.

Note that, in Step S907, in the event that judgment is made that theoption for deletion of the page numbers has not been selected by theuser selecting the “not deleted” key 402 on the screen shown in FIG. 4,the flow skips the deletion processing in Step S908, and proceeds toStep S909.

Subsequently, in Step S909, the system performs control so that thenumbering control unit 214 performs processing for adding the numberinginformation (processing for putting the page information) to the imagedata stored in the primary storage device 203 or the secondary storagedevice 204 based upon the settings decided upon by the user with thenumbering setting screen shown in FIG. 3.

Subsequently, the flow proceeds to Step S910, and judgment is madewhether or not the above-described processing has ended for all thepages in the image data, and in the event that judgement is made thatunprocessed pages still remain, the flow returns to Step S907, andprocessing is performed for the remaining pages. For example, with theexample shown in FIG. 5, the system has three pages of original documentdata which is to be subjected to processing, and accordingly, the systemperforms control so that the processing from the Step S907 to Step S909is repeated the number of times corresponding to three pages of theoriginal document data. For example, in the event that the systemgenerates the output data shown in FIG. 7 from the original data shownin FIG. 5, the processing in Step S908 is repeated the number of timescorresponding to the three pages, whereby the page numbers of theoriginal data “-4-”, “-5-”, and “−6-”, are deleted in serial order.Furthermore, in the event that the processing in Step S909 is repeated,as shown in the output results in FIGS. 6 through 8, the page numberwhich is to be provided is incremented by one for each new page, eachtime the processing in Step S909 is performed, whereby new page numberssuch as “1-21”, “1-22”, and “1-23” are provided, for example.

On the other hand, in Step S910, in the event that judgment is made thatprocessing has ended for all the pages, the numbering processing ends,and the flow returns to the processing for waiting for requests shown inStep S901.

With apparatuses having multi-functions such as the present imageprocessing apparatus, the system has a configuration wherein thenumbering processing using the numbering function performed under thecontrol of the main controller 213 can be performed for the documentdata from the device having the copy function, and also can be performedfor the document data from an external device having the facsimilefunction, printer function, or the like. Note that the system has aconfiguration wherein, in the event of performing the same processing asthe above-described processing with the printer function, for example, aprinting setting screen having the same functions as with the operatingscreen shown in FIG. 3 or the operating screen shown in FIG. 4 isdisplayed on the display unit of the host computer via a printer driverof the host computer so that the host computer can receive the sameinstructions as with the setting screen shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 fromthe user via the user interface at the host computer side, and thesystem receives the instructions corresponding to the original documentdata from the host computer, following which the main controller 213analyzes the aforementioned instructions, and effects control so thatthe numbering processing is performed based upon the aforementionedinstructions, whereby the system can generate various kinds of outputdata as shown in FIGS. 6 through 8. Furthermore, while description hasbeen made regarding the system having a configuration wherein thenumbering processing for generating the output data shown in FIGS. 6through 8 is performed on the side of the present image processingapparatus, the system may have a configuration wherein theaforementioned processing is performed by the control unit on the sideof the host computer via the printer driver or the like of the hostcomputer. Note that, in this case, the processing (processing shown inthe flowchart in FIG. 9, or the like) which is to be performed under thecontrol of the main controller 213 on the side of the present imageprocessing apparatus in the above-described arrangement, is performed onthe host computer side, the system has a configuration wherein thepresent image processing apparatus receives the data which has beenalready subjected to the numbering processing as shown in FIGS. 6through 8 so as to print out without change. As described above, thepresent embodiment may be applied to any arrangement.

Furthermore, the numbering processing according to the presentembodiment can be performed for the original document data which hasbeen subjected to processing with the box functions included in theimage processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Asdescribed above, with the image processing apparatus having the boxfunctions, the numbering processing according to the present embodimentis effective in the job with the box functions.

Description will be made regarding the box functions (which will be alsoreferred to as “box mode”) included in the image processing apparatusaccording to the present embodiment. The box functions are functionswherein the main controller 213 performs storage control so that theimage data input from the scanner unit included in the present imageprocessing apparatus, or the image data received by a reception unitsuch as the network adapter 205 or the like included in the presentimage processing apparatus, is stored in an unshown box region within astorage unit, which can store multiple pages of image data, such as ahard disk or the like included in the present image processingapparatus, and the user can obtain desired image data from the boxregion at a desired time, the desired number of times, by a desiredamount, and in a desired output format, so as to print out the imagedata with the printer unit included in the image processing apparatus,or so as to transmit the image data to other apparatuses, by the useroperating the operating unit 202 included in the image processingapparatus.

Note that the box functions according to the present embodiment can beroughly classified into two kinds of processing: one is processing forstoring the input original document data in the box region within memorysuch as a hard disk or the like (storage processing); and the other isoutput processing for outputting the original document data stored inthe box region. The present embodiment has a configuration wherein theaforementioned storage processing for storing the original document datain the box region, and the output processing for outputting the originaldocument data stored in the box region, are performed using the memorywhich can store multiple pages, such as a hard disk, and accordingly theabove-described two kinds of processing can be performed at the sametime or at separate time points according to the instructions from theuser.

Furthermore, the storage processing of the box functions comprisesstorage processing for storing the original document data from thescanner unit in the box region, and storage processing for storing theoriginal document data from an external device in the box region,wherein, with the former, the user selects the box functions with theoperating unit 202, and sets various kinds of necessary parameters(parameters with regard to output conditions such as the size of theoriginal document, magnification, and the like) at the time of storage,and with the latter, the user selects the box functions with an externaldevice such as a host computer which transmits the image data which isto be stored in the box region, and sets various kinds of necessaryparameters at the time of storage. On the other hand, with regard to theoutput processing of the box functions, the system has a configurationwherein the user can output both the image data read out from thescanner and the image data which has been received from an externaldevice such as a host computer or the like and has been stored in thebox region, from the box region with the operating unit 202 included inthe present image processing apparatus. Furthermore, the system has aconfiguration wherein the output conditions (the sheet size, the numberof printed sheets, instructions for sorting, stapling, or the like, andthe like) desired by the user can be input with the operating unit 202at the time of processing for outputting the original document data fromthe box region, the original document data stored in the box region isassembled so as to be output according to the output condition, and theoutput device can be selected from various kinds of output devices suchas a printer, an external device, and the like.

Furthermore, the system has a configuration wherein the storage unitincluded in the image processing apparatus according to the presentembodiment, such as a hard disk or the like, includes multiple boxregions (e.g., 100 box regions), and the user can selects a desired boxregion. Furthermore, the system has a configuration wherein each boxregion can store a series of multiple image data sets (multiple jobs).Accordingly, in order to output a job from a box region, the system hasa configuration wherein the user selects a desired box from the multipleboxes with the operating unit 202, selects a desired job, which is to beoutput, from multiple jobs stored in the selected box, performs settingof output conditions for the selected job, and the job selected by theuser is output according to the output conditions specified by the userwith the operating unit 202.

Furthermore, with the box functions included in the image processingapparatus according to the present embodiment, the system may have aconfiguration wherein the user can select only one job (a series of oneimage data set), or selects multiple jobs (a series of multiple imagedata sets), from multiple jobs independent of each other and stored inthe selected box at the time of user selecting desired jobs from theselected box. As described above, the system has a configuration whereinthe user can specify the number of jobs to be selected from the jobsstored in the box. Furthermore, the system has a configuration wherein,in the event that the user selects multiple jobs, the jobs are convertedinto a single job in a serial form so as to be consecutively printed outwith a printer unit, or so as to be consecutively transmitted to otherexternal devices.

Furthermore, with regard to a case that the user selects multiple jobsindependent of each other from the box, and the selected multiple jobsare consecutively read out from the box so as to be output, the systemhas two modes: one is a joining mode wherein the multiple jobsindependent of each other are joined into a single job included in asingle group so as to be output; and the other is a non-joining modewherein the multiple jobs are not joined, but rather are output asseparate jobs in separate groups. The system has a configuration whereinthe user can select one mode from the above-described two modes byoperating the operating unit 202.

As described above, the image processing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment has the box functions for performing various kinds ofprocessing, and the numbering processing according to the presentembodiment can be performed for the job with such box functions, andfurthermore, the numbering processing improves the advantage of the boxfunctions.

The reason is that, for example, with the above-described box functions,in the event that the user selects multiple jobs, these documents mightbe required to be output as a single job in a single group in a singleformat using the document joining mode. On the other hand, thesemultiple jobs are independent and individual jobs, and accordingly, eachjob might have individual page number information. Taking such asituation into consideration, it can be understood that in the eventthat multiple jobs are joined into a single document according toselection of multiple jobs from the box, and selection of thedocument-joining mode, made by the user, problems such as the problem ofmultiple pages having the same page number being in the output results,and the problem of page numbers existing in different positions and indifferent formats, tend to easily occur. Occurrence of such problemscauses poor appearance of the output results, and furthermore causes theuser to become confused. In order to solve the above-described problems,with the present embodiment, the system performs control so that theabove-described numbering processing is performed for the jobs with thebox functions in the same way, thereby preventing the above-describedproblems.

For example, in the event that multiple jobs are consecutively outputfrom a desired box according to the selection of the box functions andselection of the multiple jobs from the desired box made by the user,the main controller 213 effects control so that the numbering settingscreen shown in FIG. 3 or the numbering setting screen shown in FIG. 4is displayed on the display unit 202, and desired processing with regardto the numbering functions can be performed for multiple jobs selectedfrom the aforementioned box by the user according to the instructionsspecified by the user. More specifically, for example, in the event thatmultiple box function jobs are joined into a single job to be output,all the page information (old page information) contained in theoriginal image data of these multiple jobs which are to be joined isdeleted from the multiple jobs which are to be joined, according to thesettings performed in the operating screen shown in FIG. 4.Subsequently, the main controller 213 effects control so that themultiple jobs are joined into joined data as a single data set in asingle group with the page information of the original image data havingbeen deleted, and with new page information being provided so as to begenerated and output.

Furthermore, with the present embodiment, in a case that the boxfunctions are selected, and accordingly, multiple jobs selected from abox by the user are consecutively output, the system may performscontrol so that, in the event of performing output with either mode ofthe joining mode and the non-joining mode, the above-described numberingprocessing can be carried out, or the system may perform control so thatin the event of performing output with one particular mode only (e.g.,only with the joining mode), the numbering processing can be carriedout.

Furthermore, in a case that multiple jobs selected from a box by theuser are consecutively output with the joining mode or non-joining mode,the system has a configuration wherein multiple kinds of numberingsettings such as the first setting for the numbering processing throughthe setting screen shown in FIG. 3, the second setting for the numberingprocessing through the setting screen shown in FIG. 4, and the like, canbe independently performed. Furthermore, the system may have aconfiguration wherein the main controller 213 performs control so thatboth the first processing (processing for providing new page numberinformation) and the second processing (processing for deleting theprevious page number information contained in the original image data)of the multiple kinds of numbering processing, can be performed, onlydesired processing can be performed (e.g., only the first processing isperformed, only the second processing is performed, or the like), aswell, and also the user can select the numbering processing which is tobe used, according to the instructions decided upon by the useroperating the operating unit 202.

Thus, with the present embodiment, the system can perform control sothat for example, the new page number information is not provided (inthe event that setting is not performed on the screen shown in FIG. 3),and the page number information provided to the original image datacontained in the multiple jobs which are to be joined with the boxfunctions is deleted (in the event that setting is performed only on thescreen shown in FIG. 4), whereby the joined data can be generated andoutput with the page number information contained in the original imagedata having been deleted. Note that the system may have not only aconfiguration wherein such generated data is printed out with a printer,or is transmitted to other devices, according to the instructions fromthe user, but also the system may include processing for storing thegenerated data in the box as an option of output processing, and mayhave a configuration wherein the user can select the above-describedoption. In a case that the generated joined data is stored in a box, thesystem may have a configuration wherein the replacing processing forstoring the generated joined data while deleting the original jobs whichhave been subjected to the joining processing, or the like, and theprocessing for storing the generated joined data while leaving theoriginal jobs which have been subjected to the joining processingremaining in the box without change, can be selectively performed.

Such a configuration further improves the advantages of the presentembodiment. Furthermore, with the digital photocopier having this boxfunction, owing to the joining of the joining print function for joiningmultiple documents so as to be printed out and the function for printingdocuments by chapters, the chapter number is automatically incrementedfor each new document at the time of printing, thereby providing adigital photocopier wherein the position of chapters can be easilychanged with the function for printing documents by chapters. Furtherdetailed description will be made in a second embodiment described belowregarding the numbering processing for the jobs with the box functions.

Second Embodiment

While description has been made in the above-described first embodimentregarding an arrangement wherein the original page numbers printed onthe original documents are deleted, and new page numbers in serial orderare automatically provided to an assembled document at the time ofassembling multiple original document sets into a single document, thesecond embodiment may have a configuration wherein the system performscontrol so that the user selects multiple original-document image datafiles (jobs) in a desired order, and the page numbers newly assigned inserial order are automatically provided at the time of printing out thejoined data, or so that the page numbers are automatically provided foreach chapter with each original document set as a chapter. Descriptionwill be made now regarding this embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram which illustrates an example of animage processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention, and in particular, corresponds to a configurationexample of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 10, an original document feeding device 1201 feeds an originaldocument onto a platen glass 1202 one by one in serial order from thetop thereof, and following the original document being read out, theoriginal document on the platen glass 1202 is discharged. Upon theoriginal document being transported onto the platen glass 1202, a lamp1203 is turned on, and movement of a scanner unit 1204 is started sothat exposure scanning is performed for the original document. In thiscase, the reflected light from the original document is introduced to aCCD image sensor (which will be referred to as “CCD” hereafter) 1209through mirrors 1205, 1206, and 1207, and a lens 1208. As describedabove, the image obtained by scanning the original document is read outby the CCD 1209. A laser driver 1221 is a unit for driving a laseremission unit 1210, and more particularly, a unit for performing controlso that the laser emission unit 1210 emits a laser beam with a strengthcorresponding to the output image data. The laser beam is cast to aphotosensitive drum 1211, whereby a latent image is formed on thephotosensitive drum 1211 according to the strength of the laser beam.Furthermore, a developing unit 1212 causes adhesion of a developingagent to the portions, where the latent image has occurred, on thephotosensitive drum 1211.

Note that in the event that the image processing apparatus according tothe present embodiment is a color image processing apparatus, the imageprocessing apparatus includes four developing units for the four colorsof yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. A recording sheet is supplied fromany of cassettes 1213 and 1214 and a hand-feed tray 1227, synchronouslywith starting of emission of the laser beam, so as to be transmitted toa transfer unit 1215, whereby the developing agent adhering to thephotosensitive drum 1211 is transferred onto the recording sheet.

Subsequently, the recording sheet to which the developing agent hasadhered is transported to a fixing unit 1216, and the developing agentis fixed onto the recording sheet by heat and pressure of the fixingunit 1216. The recording sheet output from the fixing unit 1216 isdischarged by a discharge roller 1217. In the event that setting ofdouble-sided recording has been performed, following the recording sheetbeing transported to the discharge roller 1217, the discharge roller1217 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the recording sheet isintroduced to a sheet re-supplying transport path 1219 by a flapper1218. The recording sheet introduced to the re-supplying transport path1219 is re-supplied to the transfer unit 1215 at the above-describedtiming.

On the other hand, in a case that the main unit of the image processingapparatus includes a saddle stitcher 1225, the recording sheet istransported to a z-folding unit. In the event that a finisher 1220 isprovided for folding a recording sheet in the shape of the letter Zaccording to the operation from the operating unit, the finisher 1220sorts out the set of the discharged recording sheets, punches recordingsheets with a puncher 1223, and staples sheets with a stapler 1224according to the instructions from the user.

Furthermore, in the event of using a saddle stitcher 1225, the recordingsheets are stitched at the center portion, and subsequently, therecording sheets are folded along the center portion, whereby therecording sheets are bound into a book. An inserter 1222 enablesrecording sheets printed beforehand to be supplied as book covers orinserting sheets, and the printed sheets can be supplied without passingthrough the recording-sheet path of the printer unit, and thus, therecording sheets can be transported without damage. In a case of a jobnot using the saddle stitcher 1225, the recording sheet passes through adischarge opening 1231, and is discharged to one of movable trays(discharge bins) 1228 and 1229.

Both the movable trays 1228 and 1229 can be moved in the verticaldirection. For example, in the event of outputting a recording sheet tothe movable tray 1228, the movable tray 1228 is moved downward to theposition of the discharge opening 1231. In a case of a job using thesaddle stitcher 1225, the job passes through the discharge opening 1232,and is discharged to a book tray 1230.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for describing a system configuration of theimage processing apparatus shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 11, referencenumeral 1101 denotes a digital photocopier main unit (image processingapparatus) which includes an operating unit 1102 (which may be the sameunit as the operating unit 202 described in the first embodiment), areader unit 1103 (which may be the same unit as the reader unit 2described in the first embodiment), a printer unit 1104 (which may bethe same unit as the printer unit 3 described in the first embodiment),and so forth. The operating unit 1102 is used for operating the digitalphotocopier main unit 1101 and an image input/output control unit 1105.The reader unit 1103 reads out the image of the original document, andoutputs the image data corresponding to the original image to theprinter unit 1104 and the image input/output control unit 1105. Theprinter unit 1104 records an image corresponding to the image data fromthe reader unit 1103 and the image input/output control unit 1105 on arecording sheet.

The image input/output control unit 1105 is connected to the reader unit1103, and includes a computer interface unit 1106, an image memory unit1107 (which may be the same unit as the primary storage device 203 orthe secondary storage device 204 described in the first embodiment), acontrol unit 1108 (which may be the same unit as the main controller 213described in the first embodiment), backup RAM 1110, and the like.

Note that the image memory unit 1107 includes a storage unit, which canstore multiple pages of data, such as a hard disk or the like, and thesystem has a configuration wherein the aforementioned hard disk canstore the original document image data input from the reader unit 1103,and the original document image data output from an external device suchas a computer 1109 or the like, which is input through the computerinterface 1106. Furthermore, the system can perform processing with boxfunctions using the hard disk in the image memory unit 1107. While withthe present embodiment, description will be mainly made regarding anarrangement wherein the present image processing apparatus includes theaforementioned image memory unit 1107, the present invention is notrestricted to the such an arrangement, and the present invention may beapplied to an arrangement wherein an external device (server, computer,or the like) includes the aforementioned image memory unit 1107. In anycase, the system should be able to perform processing with the functionsaccording to the present embodiment, such as the box functions or thelike, using a storage unit, which can store multiple jobs formed ofmultiple pages independent of each other, such as a hard disk or thelike.

The computer interface unit 1106 (which may be the same unit as thenetwork adapter 205, the protocol analyzing unit 206, or the PDLconverting unit 207, described in the first embodiment) is an interfacebetween a print server 1109 made up of a personal computer or workstation (PC/WS) and the control unit 1108, and converts the code data(PDL), which represents an image, transmitted from the print server1109, into image data wherein recording can be performed in the printerunit 1104, and the converted data is transmitted to the control unit1108.

While detailed description will be made later regarding the control unit1108, in brief, the control unit 1108 controls the data flow between thereader unit 1103, the computer interface unit 1106, and the image memoryunit 1107.

The backup RAM 1110 is non-volatile memory, and stores the data which isneeded to be stored for the digital photocopier main unit 1101 and theimage input/output control unit 1105.

FIG. 12 is a plan view which illustrates an example of key arrangementsfor the operating unit 1102 of the digital photocopier main unit 1101shown in FIG. 11.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1301 denotes a power switch, and controlssupply of power to the main unit. Reference numeral 1302 denotes apre-heat key, and is used for turning on/off of the pre-heat mode.Reference numeral 1303 denotes a copy A mode key which is used forselecting the copy A mode from the multiple functions. Reference numeral1304 denotes a copy B mode key which is used for selecting the copy Bmode from the multiple functions. The copy A and the copy B have thesame copy functions. In the event that scanner reading has ended withone mode of the copy A mode and the copy B mode, input can be performedwith the other mode thereof, and accordingly, two copy modes having thesame functions are provided for ease of use for the user.

Reference numeral 1305 is a mailbox key, and is used for selecting themailbox mode (which corresponds to the above-described box function)from multiple functions (such as the copy function, box function,facsimile function, printer function, and the like) included in thepresent image processing apparatus. The mailbox function is a functionwherein a storage region is formed in memory (hard disk in the imagememory unit 1107) within the copier for each user or each department asdescribed in the first embodiment, PDL data input from an externaldevice such as a host computer or the like, or the scan image data inputfrom the reader unit, are stored in the storage region, and the user canoutput the stored data at a desired time. Note that an arrangement maybe made wherein the PDL data is stored in the box (storage region)without conversion, or an arrangement may be made wherein the bitmapimage data converted from the PDL data is stored in the box.

Reference numeral 1306 denotes an extension key, and is used foroperating the PDL data. Each of keys 1303 through 1306 are also used forcalling up each function screen of an LCD touch panel 1316 describedlater, so that the user can observe the state of each job from a displayon the LCD touch panel 1316.

Reference numeral 1307 denotes a copy start key, and is used forstarting copying. Reference numeral 1308 is a stop key, and is used forcanceling or stopping copying. Reference numeral 1309 denotes a resetkey, and serves as a key for restoring the state to the normal mode whenin standby. Reference numeral 1310 denotes a guide key, and is used whenthe user wants to know each function. Reference numeral 1311 denotes auser mode key, and is used when the user changes basic settings of thesystem. Reference numeral 1312 denotes an interrupt key, and is used forinterrupting a copy job to perform another copying job with higherpriority or urgency. Reference numeral 1313 denotes a numerical keypad,and is used for inputting numbers. Reference numeral 1314 denotes aclear key, and is used for clearing the input numbers. Reference numeral1315 denotes an ID key, and is used for changing the mode to the IDinput mode at the time of the user using the photocopier.

Reference numeral 1316 denotes an LCD touch panel made up of a liquidcrystal panel and touch sensors, wherein the setting screen is displayedfor each mode, and furthermore, the user can perform various kinds ofdetailed setting by touching displayed keys. Furthermore, the LCD touchpanel 1316 displays the state of running jobs, as well. Referencenumeral 1317 is a tally light for indicating the state of networkcommunication, and is lit green when in standby, blinks green duringcommunication, and is lit red during network errors.

FIG. 13 is a diagram which illustrates a copy standard screen displayedon the LCD touch panel 1316 shown in FIG. 12. With the image processingapparatus according to the present embodiment, immediately followingturning on, the copy standard screen is displayed as a default display.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1401 denotes a message line, and displaysthe state of copy jobs in the form of a message. Reference numeral 1402denotes a portion showing the enlargement/reduction for displaying theenlargement or reduction specified by the user or automaticallydetermined by the copy mode, in terms of percentage. Reference numeral1403 denotes a sheet size display which displays the kind of theselected output sheet, and in the event that setting of the automaticsheet selection has been performed, the message “auto sheet” isdisplayed.

Reference numeral 1404 denotes a setting number display which indicatesthe number of the printed sheets for each copied original documentsheet. Reference numeral 1405 denotes a reduction copy key which is usedfor making reduced copies. Reference numeral 1406 denotes a same-sizecopy key which is used when the user wants to return the mode to thesame size mode in the event that the reduction copy mode or theenlargement copy mode has been selected. Reference numeral 1407 denotesan enlargement key which is used for making enlarged copies.

Reference numeral 1408 denotes a zoom key for making reduced copy orenlarged copies with magnification in small increments. Referencenumeral 1409 denotes a sheet selection key which is used for selectingthe kind of output sheet. Reference numeral 1410 denotes a sort keywhich is used for setting the mode for sorting or stapling.

Reference numeral 1411 denotes a double-sided key which is used forsetting the double-sided mode. Reference numeral 1412 is animage-density display for indicating the current image density, whereinan image-density display 1412 pointing to the left side indicates thatthe image density is small, and conversely, the image-density display1412 pointing to the right side indicates that the image density isgreat.

Furthermore, the image-density display 1412 changes according tooperation of a light-tone key 1413 and a deep-tone key 1415. Thelight-tone key 1413 is used for reducing the image density. Referencenumeral 1414 denotes an auto-density key which is used for selecting themode for automatically determining the image density. The deep-tone key1415 is used for increasing the image density.

Reference numeral 1416 denotes a text-document key which is used forsetting the text-document mode for automatically adjusting the imagedensity suitable for copying a character document. Reference numeral1417 denotes a text/photo document key which is used for settingtext/picture document modes for automatically adjusting the imagedensity to that suitable for copying a document containing photographs.

Reference numeral 1418 denotes an advanced mode key which is used forsetting various kinds of copy modes which cannot be set on the copystandard screen. Reference numeral 1419 denotes a print state key whichis used for observing the current state of print performed in thepresent image processing apparatus 1101. The print state key 1419 isdisplayed at this position not only on the copy standard screen but alsoon any screen, and thus, the user can observe the state of print bypressing the key at any time.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a logical using method for the imagememory unit 1107 shown in FIG. 11. With the present embodiment shown inFIG. 14, the storage region within a hard disk included in the imagememory unit 1107 is logically partitioned into a temporary region 1501,a entire box region 1502, and the like, according to usage. Thetemporary region 1501 is a storage region for temporarily storing thedata converted from the PDL data (jobs with the printer function) or theimage data from a scanner (jobs with the copy function) in order toenable output processing such as processing for changing the outputorder of the image data, or processing for outputting multiple printedsheets for each copied document sheet by a single scan. That is to say,the region 1501 is a region suitable for performing electronic sortingor the like.

The entire box region 1502 is a storage region for using the boxfunction, and is divided into the registered number of small storageregions such as regions 1503 through 1507 (e.g., with the firstembodiment, the entire box region is divided into 100 boxes). The boxregions 1503 through 1507 are assigned for each user or each companydepartment or the like, and a box name and a password can be applied toeach box. The user can input a PDL job or a scan job to a desired box byspecifying the box, and can check the actual data stored in the box(preview function of the box function), change setting, or performprintout, by inputting the password.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart which illustrates an example of the second dataprocessing procedure for the image processing apparatus according to thepresent invention, which corresponds to a procedure for registering ajob to a box, wherein registration of the data to a box is performed bythe PDL image registration processing (FIG. 15A) for the data from thehost computer 1109 shown in FIG. 11, and registration processing for thescan image from the scanner shown in FIG. 5B. Reference numerals S601through S609 denote the steps.

In the event of registering a PDL image as shown in FIG. 15A, in StepS601, print settings serving as output conditions are made on the hostcomputer 1109, and also the box function is selected by the user,following which the flow proceeds to Step S602. Note that the contentsof the print setting include the number of copies, the size of therecording sheet, magnification, one-sided/double-sided, page outputorder, sorting output, whether or not to staple, and the like.

Subsequently, in Step S602, the user specifies a desired box number onthe host computer 1109, and accordingly, a corresponding region withinthe entire box region 1502 of the image memory unit 1107 is specified,following which the flow proceeds to Step S603. For example, in theevent of setting the box number BOX No. to BOX1, the box region 1503 ofthe entire box region 1502 is specified.

Subsequently, in Step S603, the user sets printing instructions at thehost computer 1109, and at the same time, the driver software installedin the host computer 1109 converts the code data, which is to beprinted, into the PDL data, and the PDL data is transmitted to thecontrol unit 1108 of the present image input/output apparatus 1108 alongwith the printing setting parameters specified in Step S601, followingwhich the flow proceeds to Step S604.

Subsequently, in Step S604, the transmitted PDL data is converted(rasterized) into image data, and in the event that the conversion ofthe image data has ended, the flow proceeds to Step S605.

Subsequently, in Step S605, the converted image data is stored in thebox specified by the user, of the box region 1502 in the hard diskincluded in the image memory unit 1107 in serial order. For example, inthe event that the user has selected a box with the box number BOX No.of BOX1, the image data is stored in the box region 1503 (the box withthe box number BOX No. of BOX1), following which the processing ends.

Note that the print settings parameters specified in Step S601 arestored in the box region (in this case, box region 1503) specified bythe user, as well. In the event that the user specifies the box with thebox number BOX No. of BOX2, the data is stored in the box region 1504,and in the event that the user specifies the box with the box number BOXNo. of BOX3, the data is stored in the box region 1505.

In the event that the user registers a scan image as shown in FIG. 15B,first of all, the user selects the box function by pressing the box key1305 on the operating unit 1102, and subsequently, the user specifiesthe box number BOX No. for inputting the image in Step S606 on thesetting screen for the box function displayed on the display unit 1316on the operating unit 1102, following which the flow proceeds to StepS607.

Subsequently, in Step S607, the user specifies the scan setting such asimage processing, and the flow proceeds to Step S608. In Step S608, thereader unit 1103 reads out the original document according to theinstructions of “scan” and “start”, and the flow proceeds to Step S609.In Step S609, the image read out in Step S608 is stored in the boxregion specified in Step S606, and subsequently, the processing ends.

FIGS. 16 through 18 are diagrams which illustrate an example of anoperating screen displayed on the LCD touch panel 1316 shown in FIG. 13under the control by the control unit 1108, and corresponds to anexample of the operating screen for the box function displayed on theLCD touch panel 1316 at the time of the user pressing the box key 1305on the operating unit 1102, for example.

Upon the user pressing the box key 1305 on the operating unit, thescreen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. The box selecting screen shown inFIG. 16 includes a box number (BOX No.) key, a display unit fordisplaying the box name, and a display unit for displaying theinformation with regard to the capacity of the box as to the entire boxregion 1502, on a display region 1701. Reference numerals 1702 and 1703denote scroll keys which are used for scrolling the screen in the eventthat the number of the registered boxes exceeds the number of boxeswhich can be displayed on the display region 1701 at one time.

Now, upon the user selecting one of the boxes by pressing one of the boxNo. keys in the display region 1701, the next operating screen isdisplayed. In the event that the user selects from the screen shown inFIG. 16 a box for which a password has been set, the next operatingscreen which comes up is the password input screen shown in FIG. 17. Onthe other hand, in the event that the user selects from the screen shownin FIG. 16 a box for which a password has not been set, the passwordinput screen shown in FIG. 17 does not come up, and the display directlyproceeds to the operating screen shown in FIG. 18, which will bedescribed later.

Inputting the correct password in the password input screen shown inFIG. 17 brings up the in-box screen shown in FIG. 18 for the operatingscreen, so the user can access the box.

In the event that the user inputs an incorrect password in the operatingscreen shown in FIG. 17, an unshown warning screen is displayed, and thebox cannot be accessed. Reference numeral 1801 denotes a cancel key usedfor returning to the operating screen display shown in FIG. 16.Reference numeral 1802 denotes an OK key used for okaying the inputpassword, following which the input password is verified by the controlunit 1108.

In the in-box screen shown in FIG. 18, reference numeral 1901 denotes alist of documents in the box, with the date and time of registration,and the file name, of each of the documents listed. To select adocument, the user presses a file name, which causes the selecteddocument to be displayed in an inverted manner. This is a toggle action,wherein pressing the selected file name again cancels the selection.Thus, the display portion 1901 (document list space) included in theoperating screen shown in FIG. 18 serves both as an information displayportion for displaying document information, and an operationinstructing portion for the user to select the documents to be output.Also, as shown in the operating screen in FIG. 18, multiple jobs can beselected in the document list space 1901 (three documents have beenselected in this example). Of course, the user may select just onedocument. Note that a key 1907 is provided to select all of thedocuments in the document list space 1901 with a single action, doingaway with the need to select one document at a time.

Reference numeral 1902 denotes displays illustrating the order in whichthe documents were selected. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the useris notified that the multiple jobs were selected by the user in theorder of file name 5, file name 1, and file name 4. This order is theorder in which the documents are printed, joined, and/or deleted.

Reference numeral 1903 denotes a scan key, used for inputting imagesfrom a scanner (the reader unit 1103) to the currently-opened box, andpressing this brings up an unshown scan setting screen. In the eventthat a new document is stored in the box by pressing the scan key 1903,the document is registered following the jobs currently registered tothis box. For example, in the event that there are just five jobsregistered in the box, the newly-scanned document will be registeredfollowing the job with the file name 5.

Reference numeral 1904 denotes a print key, used for printing documentsselected in the document list 1901. Pressing the key 1904 displays thescreen shown in FIG. 20.

In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1905 denotes a join-and-save key, used forstoring multiple documents as a single document. For example, with theexample shown in FIG. 18, in the event that the join-and-save key 1905is pressed by the user in the state that the documents with the filename 4, file name 1, and file name 4 are selected as shown in FIG. 18,the control unit 1108 effects control so as to join the job with thefile name 5, the job with the file name 1, and the job with the filename 4, as a single job, and to store the generated joined data in thebox. In the event that the joined job is to be stored in place of thethree jobs, the three jobs are deleted from the memory and the joinedjob is stored instead. In the event of storing the joined job as a newjob, the three original jobs are left in the memory and the joined jobis registered in the box.

Reference numeral 1906 denotes a delete key, used for deleting all ofthe selected documents displayed in the document list 1901. For example,in the event that the user presses the delete key 1906 in the displaysstate shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 1108 effects control so as todelete the three jobs from the box (i.e., from the hard disk).

Reference numeral 1907 denotes a select all key, used for selecting allof the documents in the document list 1901. In the event that the selectall key 1907 is used, the order of selection is the order of listing inthe document list 1901.

Reference numerals 1908 and 1909 denote scroll keys, used for scrollingthe screen in the event that the number of documents stored exceeds thenumber of documents which can be displayed in the document list 1901 (inthis example, more than five) so that the user can view the others aswell. Reference numeral 1910 denotes a close key, used for returningfrom the screen display shown in FIG. 18 to the screen display shown inFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the results of printing joineddocuments with the image processing apparatus according to the presentinvention, showing an example of output results of page printing ajoined document by chapters, managed by later-described managementtables TA through TC.

In FIG. 19, reference numeral 2101 illustrates a the structure of thedocuments stored in the box region (see FIG. 14). Note that themanagement information may be stored in the box area in the hard disk orat another area, or may be stored in separate memory. Any arrangement issuitable as long as the management information can be stored and managedin a manner correlated with the selected jobs, and can be called up bythe control unit 1108 as necessary. Here, documents TAA through TAC eachdenote management tables for the respective documents, with themanagement information of the management tables TAA through TACincluding the number of copies, finishing information such as staplingand the like, the number of pages in the document and so forth, andprinting attributes of the overall document.

Also, the pages A-1 through A-n, B-1 through B-n, and C-1 through C-n,each denote that management tables for each of the documents, storingthe resolution of each page, printing attributes relating to the pagesuch as the number of pixels and so forth, the file ID of the actualimage, and so forth. Also stored is attributes information such asboth-side information relating to which of the front and back sides toprint on, which sheet tray to supply sheets of which size from, and soforth.

The example shown in FIG. 19 shows joined printing of the threedocuments, wherein Document A, Document B, and Document C are to bejoined in printing, the documents selected in the order shown in FIG.18. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the documents have been selected inthe order of the job with the file name 5, the job with the file name 1,and the job with the file name 4, so here, Document A corresponds to thejob with the file name 5, Document B corresponds to the job with thefile name 1, and Document C corresponds to the job with the file name 4.

Reference numeral 2102 illustrates the order in which the pages areoutput in the joined printing, which is in the order of pages A-1through A-n of Document A, pages B-1 through B-n of Document B, andpages C-1 through C-n of Document C. Reference numeral 2103 shows theresults of printing pages by chapter, regarding what sort of pagenumbers are printed on each page of the pages A-1 through C-n. With thepresent embodiment, the chapter numbers and page numbers are printed inthe format of “Chapter No.-page No.”, and the chapter number isautomatically incremented for each document previous to joined printing.In the example in FIG. 19, the chapter numbers are incremented for eachdocument previous to joined printing, so the chapter number for thepages belonging to Document A is 1, the chapter number for the pagesbelonging to Document B is 2, and the chapter number for the pagesbelonging to Document C is 3. Further, the pages in each chapter havesequential page numbers assigned from 1 through n.

FIGS. 20 through 23 are diagrams illustrating an operating screenexample displayed on the LCD touch panel shown in FIG. 13, correspondingto the print settings screen example. This screen comes up upon pressingthe print key 1904 shown in FIG. 18. Note that this is an example of howvarious operating screens having touch panel keys are displayed on thedisplay portion of the operating unit in response to user operations,under the control of the control unit 1108.

In FIG. 20, reference numeral 2201 denotes a display area indicating thenumber of documents selected, which shows how many documents are to beprinted. In this case, the display indicates that 12 documents have beenselected in the screen shown in FIG. 18. Reference numeral 2202 denotesa portion indicating the number of copies, which is the default value 1in this case.

Also, the user can freely set the number of copies to be printed usingthe key 2206 in this screen. Reference numeral 2203 denotes a displayarea where a warning display is made in the event that there is even onedocument which is different in the number of copies from the otherselected documents. In the event that, unlike this example, the numberof copies for all of the documents is the same, the warning display isnot made in the display area 2203. In the event that the documentjoining described with reference to FIG. 21 is not to be carried out, adefault number of copies is output with only a warning, and in the eventof joining the documents, the copies of the number displayed at thedisplay area 2202 are output. That is to say, even in the event thatmultiple documents are selected and the number of copies set beforehanddo not match, only a warning display is made, and output can be madewith the number of copies adjusted (either set to the default 1, or setto a new value with the key 2206), without forbidding the outputprocessing itself. The key 2204 is a print settings changing key, andupon pressing this key the display screen changes to that shown in FIG.21, where further detailed printing settings can also be made besideschanging the number of copies.

Of course, in the event that there is no need to change the detailedsettings relating to the output conditions of the selected documents, orthe number of copies thereof to be output, the user will press the printstart key 2208 instead of pressing the keys 2204 or 2206 or the like.Upon the print start key 2208 being pressed, the control unit 1108effects control so as to print the documents selected in the operatingscreen shown in FIG. 18 in the order of selection, following the outputconditions set beforehand for the selected documents.

Reference numeral 2205 denotes a key for setting whether or not todelete the source document following printing. The key 2205 is toggledon and off each time it is pressed. Reference numeral 2206 denotes acopy number changing key, and upon being pressed an unshown numericalkeypad is displayed to allow the number of copies displayed in thedisplay area 2202 to be changed.

Reference numeral 2207 denotes a cancel key, used for quitting thisscreen, and reference numeral 2208 denotes a print start key forstarting printing. In this case, the multiple documents selected in thescreen shown in FIG. 18 are not joined but printed as they are accordingto the number of copies shown in the display area 2202.

The print settings changing screen shown in FIG. 21 is a screen to bedisplayed on the operating unit in the event that the user presses theprint settings changing key 2204 in the operating screen shown in FIG.20, and is an operating screen to allow the user to set again the outputconditions for the jobs selected with the settings screen shown in FIG.18.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 2301 on the operating screenin FIG. 21 illustrates a display portion which lets the user recognizethe sheet supply tray from which sheets for the document to be printedwill be supplied, and the size of the sheets. In the event that thereare multiple sheets sizes in a single document, a display is made inthis display portion to that effect. The auto sheet display in the sheetsize display indicates that the sheet supply tray from which the sheetsare to be supplied is to be determined based on the sheet size of thesource document, rather than a sheet supply tray explicitly specified bythe user.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 2302 on the operating screenin FIG. 21 illustrates a display portion which lets the user recognizethe number of copies presently set. The portion indicated by referencenumeral 2303 on the operating screen in FIG. 21 illustrates an operatingkey whereby the user can return the settings to the previous settings,and in the event that the operating the key 2303 is pressed by the user,control is effected such that the printing settings for the selected jobspecified by the user using the operating screen is returned to thesettings for the source document before the output conditions were setusing the operating screen.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 2304 on the operating screenin FIG. 21 illustrates a setting key which lets the user make settingsregarding whether or not to delete the source document of the selectedjob from the box following printing of the selected job to be output.Reference numeral 2305 denotes a sheet selection key, used for printingwith a fixed sheet supply tray selected by the user. Reference numeral2306 denotes a sorter key, for approving finishing such as stapling,hole punching, and so forth.

Reference numeral 2307 denotes a both-side key, which enables both-sidesettings to be made, and 2308 denotes a cover/separating sheets key,which can be used for making settings for inserting covers, insertingsheets, and separating sheets. The term “separating sheets” as used heremeans a function for supplying an inserting sheet between documents inthe event that multiple documents selected in the screen shown in FIG.18 are to be joined and output. Of course, an arrangement may be madewherein the user can set whether or not to print the first page of eachof the documents on the separating sheets.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 2309 on the operating screenin FIG. 21 illustrates a page printing key which lets the user makesettings regarding functions for automatically printing page numbers. Inthe event that this key 2309 is pressed by the user, the control unit1108 effects control such that the display state of the display portionchanges to the screen display shown in FIG. 22.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 2310 on the operating screenin FIG. 21 illustrates a document joining settings key, while allows theuser to select whether or not to join the documents selected by the userusing the operating screen shown in FIG. 18 and performing printingoutput thereof as a single document (i.e., as a single job). In theevent that document joining is selected with the key 2310, the controlunit 1108 effects control such that the multiple documents selected withthe operating screen shown in FIG. 18 are joined as a single job in theoutput order specified in the screen shown in FIG. 18 and according tothe output conditions set in the screen shown in FIG. 21, and the joinedjob that has been generated thus is printed. Accordingly, the multiplejobs can be subjected as a batch to stapling processing, both-sideprinting, sorted into the same discharge tray, and so forth, as a singlejob. This key is toggled on and off, and is displayed inverted whenselected, indicating that the documents are to be joined. In the stateshown in FIG. 21, this key is not displayed inverse, meaning that thefunction is off and settings are for the documents not to be joined. Inthe event that the print key 2313 is pressed in a state that documentjoining is not selected with the key 2310 following the multipledocuments being selected on the screen shown in FIG. 18, the controlunit 1108 effects control such that the multiple documents selected withthe operating screen shown in FIG. 18 are separately output in theoutput order specified in the screen shown in FIG. 18, as individualdocuments. Accordingly, the multiple jobs can be subjected to staplingprocessing, both-side printing, sorted into separate discharge trays,and so forth, each as individual jobs.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 2311 on the operating screenin FIG. 21 is a key for reverting to the initial values (default values)for the output conditions, and is pressed to cancel the items set in thescreen and return to the state of the screen when initially brought up.Reference numeral 2312 denotes a cancel key, pressed to invalidate thesettings and return to the screen shown in FIG. 20. Reference numeral2313 denotes a print start key, and pressing this print start keyeffects control so as to enable the settings in this screen and startthe printing of the documents selected in the screen shown in FIG. 18.

The page printing settings screen shown in FIG. 22 is a screen displayedon the display unit in the event that the page print key 2309 on theoperating screen shown in FIG. 21 is pressed by the user, and serves asan operating screen to perform page printing settings regarding jobsselected with the screen shown in FIG. 18 within the boxes selected bythe user with the screen shown in FIG. 16.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 2401 on the operating screenin FIG. 22 is a page printing basic settings key, and upon the userpressing the key 2401 in a case of setting items common to page printingfunctions, the control unit 1108 effects control so as to display anoperating screen (not shown in the display unit), this operating screenhaving an operating key whereby the user can set the position forprinting page numbers, an operating key whereby the user can set whetheror not to count inserting sheets and separating sheets as pages, anoperating key whereby the user can set the printing font, font size, andprinting concentration, of the data of the page number to be assigned tothe document data, and so forth. Thus, the user can set various types ofprocessing conditions relating to page information to be assigned to thejobs with the box functions, and the control unit 1108 effects controlso as to generate the page number data following the settings and toprovide this generated data to the document data to be output, so thatthe page number data is output on the document data.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 2402 on the operating screenin FIG. 22 is an operating key for performing page printing settings,and is used for making settings in the event of performing page printingother than by chapter. In the event that the key 2402 is pressed, thecontrol unit 1108 effects control so as to display an operating screen(not shown) which allows the user to set how the page numbers will benoted (numbering notation format) and so forth. The user can select thenumbering notation format from multiple types of page number datanotation format, including, for example, “-page No.-” (first notationformat), “-page No./total number of pages-” (second notation format),and so forth, using the operating screen. This means that, the notationformat for a page number to be assigned to document data of the N'thpage in document data made up of M pages can be output in notationsformats such as “−N” or “N/M”, for example.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 2403 on the operating screenin FIG. 22 is a key for printing pages by chapters, operated by the userto set page printing to a format such as “chapter number—page number”(third notation format), for example.

In the present embodiment, the operating key 2403 is valid only in theevent that multiple documents have been selected with the screen shownin FIG. 18. For example, in the event that multiple jobs are selectedwith the screen shown in FIG. 18 from the jobs stored in the boxesselected by the user with the screen shown in FIG. 16, and documentjoining settings have been made regarding these selected multiple jobsby pressing the key 2310 in the operating screen shown in FIG. 21, thecontrol unit 1108 effects control so as to display the operating key2403 shown in FIG. 22 in a state selectable by the user, i.e., so as topermit page printing by chapters (although this processing is neverexecuted unless requested by the user, as a matter of course). On theother hand, in the event that a single job is selected with the screenshown in FIG. 18 from the jobs stored in the boxes selected by the userwith the screen shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 1108 effects controlso as to display the operating key 2403 shown in FIG. 22 in a state notselectable by the user, i.e., so as to forbid page printing by chapters.

As an example of display control to allow the operating key 2403 to beselected by the user, the operating screen shown in FIG. 22 having atleast the key 2403 is displayed on the display unit, and the key 2403 ismade available to the user, so as to enable instruction of executing ofthe processing. On the other hand, as an example of display control tonot allow the operating key 2403 to be selected by the user, anoperating screen other than that shown in FIG. 22, at least not havingthe key 2403 but having only the keys 2401 and 2402 is displayed on thedisplay unit instead of the operating screen shown in FIG. 22, forexample. In this case, the key 2403 is not displayed on the operatingscreen at all, so of course the user cannot press the key 2403. Also, anarrangement may be made wherein the operating screen having the key 2403such as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed, but the key 2403 is displayed soas to be grayed out or hatched, and placed in a state so as to notrespond to the user pressing the key 2403 (i.e., a disabled state). Inany case, an arrangement wherein the key 2403 cannot be pressed by theuser and execution of page printing by chapters is forbidden, in theevent that only one job has been selected in the screen shown in FIG.18, is sufficient.

The reason why such control is performed will be described now. With thebox functions in the present embodiment, multiple jobs can be stored. Atthe time of box output, the user can set either a single job or multiplejobs for output (see the user interface in FIG. 18). Also, the jobsstored in the boxes are originally independent and separate jobs tobegin with, as described above. Accordingly, in the event that the useruses the user interface shown in FIG. 18 to select multiple jobs, thereis a high probability that these jobs will be joined using the screenshown in FIG. 19 and so forth so as to be handled as a single job, andin such cases of forming joined documents, in the event that the userrequests assigning of page number data by using the key 2309 shown inFIG. 19, there is a high probability that the user is desiring to printthe output results in chapters, with each individual job being Chapter1, Chapter 2, and so forth, for example. Accordingly, the key 2403 isalso subjected to display control. That is to say, in the event that theuser only selects one job, the job is an individual job to begin with,so there is little chance that the user desires to make a request toprint the job by chapters at the time of job output form a box. However,if the display is arranged such that the key 2403 is available at alltimes, the user may mistakenly assume that printing by chapters can beperformed even if only one job is selected with the operating screen inFIG. 18, and accordingly the key 2403 is set in a disabled state toprevent such misunderstanding and erroneous operations in the event thatonly one job is selected.

Further, an arrangement may be made wherein control to execute pageprinting by chapters using the key 2403 in FIG. 22 is effected in theevent that the user selects multiple jobs with the operating screen inFIG. 18 and also uses the key 2310 to instruct joining of documents, andwherein control to forbid page printing by chapters using the key 2403in FIG. 22 is effected in the event that the user selects multiple jobswith the operating screen in FIG. 18 but does not use the key 2310 toinstruct joining of documents. In either case, an environment which ishandier and has greater ease of use for the user should be provided.

In the event that the key 2403 for printing pages by chapters in theoperating screen shown in FIG. 22 is pressed by the user, the controlunit 1108 effects control so as to change the screen display state tothat shown in FIG. 23.

Reference numeral 2404 denotes a settings cancel key, used to clear thesettings in this screen and return to the previous screen, and 2405denotes an OK key which is used to make the settings in this screenvalid and pass therethrough.

As described in the previous embodiment, the image processing apparatusaccording to the present embodiment effects control so as to enableexecution of first processing (processing for assigning new pageinformation (newest page information) to the original document data tobe numbered, using the numbering functions; see the first embodiment forthe details regarding the setting method, processing, control method,and so forth) following user instructions with the numbering settingscreen in FIG. 3, and also so as to enable execution of secondprocessing (processing for deleting already-existing page information(old page information) from the original document data to be numbered;see the first embodiment for the details regarding the setting method,processing, control method, and so forth) following user instructionswith the numbering setting screen in FIG. 4.

Accordingly, an arrangement may be made for a case wherein the userselects a desired box from the multiple boxes using the operating screenshown in FIG. 16, selects desired jobs from the box using the operatingscreen shown in FIG. 18, and presses the key 2309 shown in FIG. 21 todisplay the operating screen shown in FIG. 22, such that the contents ofthe operating screens in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be displayed on the displayunit according to user instructions through links provided, so that inthe event that the user presses the key 2401 or the key 2402 forexample, the control unit 1108 effects control so as to display thecontents of the operating screens in FIG. 3 or 4 on the display unitusing the operating screen in FIG. 22. Or, an arrangement may be madewherein, instead of the operating screen shown in FIG. 22, an operatingscreen having further separate keys in addition to the keys 2401 through2403, with control being made by the control unit 1108 upon pressingthis key, to display the operating screen shown in FIG. 3 or theoperating screen shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the control unit 1108 effectscontrol to display the display the operating screen shown in FIG. 3 orthe operating screen shown in FIG. 4 after displaying the operationscreen by pressing the key 2309 in the operating screen shown in FIG.21.

In the event that the user performs settings regarding the firstprocessing using the setting screen shown in FIG. 3, the control unit1108 effects control so as to subject the one or multiple jobs selectedwith the operating screen shown in FIG. 18 following the settings madewith the operating screen shown in FIG. 3. Also, in the event that theuser performs settings regarding the second processing using the settingscreen shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 1108 effects control so as tosubject the one or multiple jobs selected with the operating screenshown in FIG. 18 following the settings made with the operating screenshown in FIG. 4. Moreover, in the event that the user performs settingsregarding the first processing using the setting screen shown in FIG. 3and the second processing using the setting screen shown in FIG. 4, thecontrol unit 1108 effects control so as to subject the one or multiplejobs selected with the operating screen shown in FIG. 18 following thesettings made with the operating screen shown in FIG. 3 and with theoperating screen shown in FIG. 4.

According to such an arrangement, at the time of outputting with the boxfunctions, regardless of whether a single job or multiple jobs areselected with the setting screen shown in FIG. 18, or whether multiplejobs are selected and joining the documents is instructed, various typesof output data such as shown in FIG. 6 through FIG. 8 can be generated.Also, in the event that the user does not need new page numbers for thejob to be output from the box but would like to delete the page numberinformation originally provided this job, the user selects a desired boxfrom the screen shown in FIG. 16 and further selects a desired job orjobs using the screen shown in FIG. 18. Selecting “delete” with the key401 in the screen shown in FIG. 4 specifying the range for deletingusing the keys 403 through 409, and instructing starting of output uponcompletion of the settings, causes the control unit 1108 to effectcontrol so that the page number information provided beforehand to thejob selected in the screen in FIG. 18 (old page information, i.e., thepage number data which the documents already had at the point of beingstored in the box) is deleted from the document data, so the documentdata can be output from the box with the page information deletedtherefrom.

Now, let us consider a case wherein the second processing is to beexecuted on multiple jobs selected as shown in the example in FIG. 18.There is the possibility that the page number data already provided tothe jobs (the old page data) may be provided at different positions foreach of the jobs. It can be clearly understood that such a situationnecessitates a way for the user to instruct where the page number datato be deleted exists on each separate job.

For example, in the event there is the need to display on the displayunit a settings screen for executing the second processing according touser instructions following displaying the screen shown in FIG. 22 dueto the key 2309 shown in FIG. 21 having been pressed, the control unit1108 checks the selection state of jobs selected with the operatingscreen shown in FIG. 18 at a point prior to displaying the displayscreen shown in FIG. 21, and in the event that multiple jobs have beenselected, performs display control so as to enable specification ofdeleting positions using the keys 403 through 409 in the settings screenshown in FIG. 4, for each of the jobs selected with the screen shown inFIG. 18. Using the display example shown in FIG. 18 for description, inorder of selection in the screen shown in FIG. 18, the page numbersprovided to the document data of the job with the file name 5, to beoutput first, are at the lower left, so “lower left” is set with the key406 for this job. The page numbers provided to the document data of thejob with the file name 1, to be output second, are at the lower right,so “lower right” is set with the key 408 for this job. Further, the pagenumbers provided to the document data of the job with the file name 4,to be output third, are at the bottom, so “bottom” is set with the key407 for this job.

Upon completing these settings and then instructing output, the controlunit 1108 effects control so as to output the job with the file name 5,the job with the file name 1, and the job with the file name 4, in thatorder, with the page information positioned at the lower right for thedocument data with the file name 1 deleted, and with the pageinformation positioned at the bottom for the document data with the filename 4 deleted, and also with the page information positioned at thelower left for the document data with the file name 5 deleted.

In the event that the user does not desire to manually instruct thepositions to delete, the key 409 on the operating screen shown in FIG. 4can be used to select “automatic specification”. This causes the controlunit 1108 to execute the aforementioned detection processing regardingwhere on each of the jobs the page information is positioned. As aresult of the page information detection processing for each job,recognition is made that the page numbers are provided to the “lowerleft” for the job with the file name 5, to the “lower right” for the jobwith the file name 1, and to the “bottom” for the job with the file name4, whereby page information deleting processing such as described abovecan be executed for the jobs, based on the detection results. Thisenables multiple box documents to be output with the page information ofeach deleted, the same as with the above-described arrangement.

Or, an arrangement may be made for a case wherein multiple jobs areselected with the operating screen shown in FIG. 18, wherein, in theevent that the user instructs joining the documents using the key 2301shown in FIG. 21, the above-described second processing is executed foreach of the multiple jobs, while in the event that the user instructsnot joining the documents by not pressing the key 2301 shown in FIG. 21,each of the multiple jobs are consecutively printed form the box, butthe above-described second processing is executed only for the jobswhich the user desires.

This further enables a setting for deleting the number information forall but one job, for example, in a case wherein multiple jobs areselected but not joined, so that the selection to not delete can be setwith the key 401 shown in FIG. 4 only for a single job, the job with thefile name 1, from the multiple jobs. As an example, with reference tothe job with the file name 1, the job with the file name 4, and the jobwith the file name 5, the control unit 1108 can follow the settings madeby the user so as to output the job with the file name 4 and the jobwith the file name 5 from the box with the page number informationprovided thereto beforehand (the old page information already on thedocuments and the point of being stored in the box) remaining thereupon,and so as to output the job with the file name 1 from the box with thepage number information provided thereto beforehand deleted. Output iscontrolled by the control unit 1108 in the order of selection made inthe screen shown in FIG. 18, i.e., in the order of the job with the filename 5 (with the page numbers remaining), the job with the file name 1(with the page numbers deleted), and the job with the file name 4 (withpage numbers remaining).

Thus, enabling handy numbering functions to be executed with the boxfunctions as well broadens the range of user needs which can be handled,and also deals with various user demands.

It should be noted that the concept of outputting from boxes encompassesprinting processing with a printer unit, sending to other apparatuses(transmission processing), and storing in another box. The configurationallows the jobs selected with the screen shown in FIG. 18 to be outputto the printer with the print start key 2313, transmitted to anotherapparatus with an unshown key, or saved in a box with an unshown key,under the conditions instructed using the settings screens shown in theFIGS. 20, 21, 22, 3, 4, and 23 (described later).

The settings screen for printing by chapter shown in FIG. 23 is a screento be displayed on the display unit in the event that the key 2403 forprinting pages by chapters shown on the operating screen in FIG. 22 ispressed by the user.

In FIG. 23, reference numeral 2501 denotes a portion for setting thestarting chapter number, and 2502 denotes a portion where the currentlyset chapter number is displayed. In the event that the user returns tothe operating screen shown in FIG. 21 and presses the return key 2131 toinstruct output in the state that the settings such as shown here havebeen made, the control unit 1108 effects control regarding the threedocuments selected in the screen shown in FIG. 18, such that page numberdata of “1-1” through “1-X” (X being the total number of pages in thisjob) is sequentially assigned to each of the pages of the job data withthe file name 5, page number data of “2-1” through “2-Y” (Y being thetotal number of pages in this job) is sequentially assigned to each ofthe pages of the job data with the file name 1, and page number data of“3-1”, through “3-Z” (Z being the total number of pages in this job) issequentially assigned to each of the pages of the job data with the filename 4, and the job with the file name 5, the job with the file name 1,and the job with the file name 4, are output in that order (i.e., theorder of selecting the jobs in the screen shown in FIG. 18), as a joineddocument, i.e., as a single job.

Reference numerals 2503 and 2504 denote increment and decrement keys forchanging the settings for the chapter numbers, 2505 denotes a portionfor setting the starting page, and 2506 denotes a portion displaying thecurrently-set page number. Reference numerals 2507 and 2508 denoteincrement and decrement keys for changing the settings for the pagenumbers. In the present embodiment, setting the chapter number portion2502 to “2” and the page number portion 2506 to “3”, the first page isprinted in order from “2-3”, and the first page of the subsequentdocument is “3-1”. The default settings are “1” for both chapter numberand page number. This function is used for continuing printing adocument that has already been printed partway, starting printing of adocument partway through and so forth.

Reference numeral 2509 denotes a settings cancel key used for clearingthe settings in this screen and returning to the previous screen, and2510 denotes an OK key which is used to make the settings in this screenvalid and pass therethrough.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the third dataprocessing procedures with the image processing apparatus according tothe present invention, corresponding to the procedures for printingpages by chapters when printing a joined document. The processing of thesteps S1601 through S1608 starts at the point that the print start key1313 is pressed under the settings for joined printing made with thedocument joining settings key 2310 shown in FIG. 21.

First, in Step S1601, the settings for printing pages by chapter thathave been set are read out on the settings screen shown in FIG. 23, theinformation for printing pages by chapter such as the starting chapternumber and starting page number are initialized, and the flow proceedsto Step S1602 where document information is read out in the orderselected with the operating screen shown in FIG. 18.

In Step S1603, one page of page information linked to the documentinformation read out in Step S1602 is read out, and an imagecorresponding to the page information is read out.

Next, in Step S1604, the chapter number and page number are superimposedon the image read out, which is printed out from the printer unit 1104in that state. The flow then proceeds to Step S1605 where the pagenumber is incremented.

Whether or not the page read out in Step S1603 is the last page of thedocument read out in Step S1602 is determined in Step S1606, and in theevent that this is determined to be the last page, the flow proceeds toStep S1607; otherwise, the flow returns to Step S1603.

In Step S1607, the chapter number is incremented and the page number isinitialized to “1”, following which whether or not the document read outin Step S1602 is the final document to be printed is determined in StepS1608, and in the event that this is determined to be the finaldocument, the processing is ended; otherwise, the flow returns to StepS1602.

Thus, combining the joined printing functions for joining multipledocuments with the functions for printing pages by chapter with adigital photocopier having box functions allows chapter numbers to beautomatically incremented at the time of printer, thereby providing adigital photocopier having a concise way of instructing where to changechapters.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, serially-sortedpage numbers can be assigned to pages of an joined document assembledfrom multiple original document volumes while avoiding a situationwherein both original page numbers and newly-assigned page numbers existon the pages, thereby markedly improving the ease-of-reading of the pagenumbers in the joined document. Further, these same advantages can beobtained when using box functions, and the conventional problems canalso be avoided in the same way, with processing such as deleting oldpage numbers and assigning new page numbers being carried out in anappropriate manner, thereby meeting various user needs.

It should be noted that while the present embodiment has been describedwith reference to an example of handling box function jobs stored in thebox area 1502 within a hard disk, the above-described processing controlfor the various types of numbering processing can be applied to jobsstored in the temporary region 1501 within the same hard disk capable ofstoring copy function jobs, facsimile function jobs, print functionjobs, and so forth. Thus, the same control can be executed with regardto not only box function jobs, but also copy function jobs, printfunction jobs, and other jobs.

Other Embodiments

The above embodiments have been described with reference to an examplewherein the default value for the first page number in a document orchapter is “1”, but an arrangement may be made wherein this value can beoptionally set by the user, and incremented from this value.

Also, the above embodiments have been described with reference to anexample wherein page numbers specified by the user are assigned to andprinted on the pages, but an arrangement may be made wherein, in theevent that the user makes specifications for printing page numbersoutside of the valid printing area of the printer engine, or in themargin of the pages, a warning is given and the user is prompted to redothe settings, or the specified area is automatically avoided and thenumbers are provided at valid positions close to the specified position.

Further, the above embodiments have been described with reference to anexample wherein original document images are output to sheets matchingthe sheet size of the original document image, but in the event that theoriginal sizes of multiple original documents are not the same, certainenlarging or reducing processing may be performed to a specified outputsize for outputting the images.

Further, the above embodiments have been described with reference to anexample wherein one page number is assigned to each page to be output,but an arrangement may be made wherein, in the event of document imageswith multiple columns, for example, multiple page numbers can bespecified for each page, and the position of each also specified.

Moreover, the above embodiments have been described with reference to anexample wherein the jobs to which the page numbers have been assignedare output as a batch from a single print engine 209 or the like, but inthe event that communication is available with an image processingapparatus having equivalent printing functions, various modificationsmay be made within the range of the present invention wherein jobsappropriated with the serial numbers are distributed among the imageprocessing apparatuses, by transmitting image data with the pageinformation already superimposed on the images, or by transmitting theimage data and the page information to be assigned thereto so as to besuperimposed thereupon at the receiving image processing apparatus.

Now, a brief description will be given regarding the configuration ofthe data processing programs readable by the image processing deviceaccording to the present invention, with reference to the memory mapshown in FIG. 25. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of astorage medium for storing the various types of data processing programsreadable by the image processing apparatus according to the presentinvention.

Also, while not illustrated in particular, the storage medium alsostores information for managing the program group therein, such asversion information, author information, and so forth, and may alsostore information dependent on the operating system or the like of theside reading the program, such as icons for displaying the programs in arecognizable manner.

Further, data accessory to the various types of programs is also managedin this directory. Further, programs for installing these programs in acomputer, programs for expanding the programs to be installed in theevent that they are compressed, and so forth, may also be storedtherein.

Also, the functions shown in FIGS. 9, 15, and 24 with regard to theembodiments may be executed by a host computer usingexternally-installed programs. In this case, arrangements whereininformation or groups of information including the programs are suppliedto the output apparatus by storage media such as CD-ROMs, flash memory,floppy disks or the like, or by external storage media via a network orthe like, are also encompassed by the present invention.

It is needless to mention that arrangements, wherein the storage mediumon which the software program code for realizing the functions of theabove-described embodiments has been stored is supplied to a system orapparatus, and the objects of the invention is carried out by thecomputer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading out andexecuting the program code form the storage medium, are also encompassedby the present invention.

In this case, the software program code itself read out from the storagemedium realizes new functions of the present invention, and the storagemedium storing the program code comprises the present invention.Examples of storage mediums which can be used for supplying the programcode include floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-opticaldisks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory cards, ROM,EEPROM, and so forth.

It is also needless to mention that the present invention encompassescases not only where a computer executing the program code read outrealizes the functions of the above embodiments, but also where theprogram code cooperatively realizes the functions of the aboveembodiments with the operating system or the like running on thecomputer.

Further, the scope of the present invention also encompassesarrangements wherein the read-out program code from the storage mediumis written to memory provided to function expansion boards inserted in acomputer or function expansion units connected to the computer,following which a CPU or the like provided to the function expansionboards or function storing units performs all or part of the actualprocessing based on instructions of the program code, so as to realizethe functions of the above embodiments thereby.

While the present invention has been described with reference to whatare presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to beaccorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and equivalent structures and functions.

1. An image processing apparatus, having reading means for readingindividual original documents in a volume contained in original documentdata, for performing image processing on image information read by saidreading means, said image processing apparatus comprising: deletingmeans for deleting page numbers, printed on said original documents insaid original document volume, from image information read by saidreading means; and assembling means for assembling images of pageinformation of the individual original document pages in a plurality oforiginal document volumes read by said reading means, into a singlesorted document.
 2. A job processing method for an apparatus having boxfunctions capable of selectively outputting jobs stored in a storageunit capable of storing a plurality of jobs each independent one fromanother, said method comprising: a selecting step for selecting jobs insaid storage unit with said box functions; and a control step forgenerating output data equivalent to data created by deleting pagenumber data from said box function job data selected in said selectingstep.
 3. A job processing method according to claim 2, wherein, in saidcontrol step, output data, equivalent to data obtained by maintainingthe page number data to said box function job data selected in saidselecting step rather than deleting said page number data, is generated.4. A job processing method according to claim 3, further comprising: aninput step for inputting one or the other of a first instruction forpermitting execution of page number data deleting processing, and asecond instruction for forbidding execution of page number data deletingprocessing; wherein, in said control step, in the event that said firstinstruction is input, output data equivalent to data wherein page numberdata has been deleted from said box function job data is generated, andin the event that said second instruction is input, output dataequivalent to data wherein page number data has not been deleted fromsaid box function job data and is maintained therein is generated.
 5. Ajob processing method according to claim 4, further comprising: adisplay control step for displaying on a display unit a first operatingscreen for selecting one or a plurality of jobs in said storage unit forsaid box functions, and then displaying a second operating screen forselecting whether or not to execute page number data deletingprocessing; wherein, in said selecting step said box function jobs areselected through said first operating screen; and wherein, in said inputstep, either said first instruction or said second instruction is inputthrough said second operating screen.
 6. A job processing methodaccording to claim 2, wherein one or a plurality of said jobs in saidstorage unit can be selected with said box functions in said selectingstep, said method further comprising: an input step wherein, in theevent that a plurality of jobs have been selected in said selectingstep, a third instruction for generating joined data equivalent to dataobtained by joining said plurality of selected jobs as one job, and afourth instruction for outputting said plurality of selected jobs eachas separate jobs, can be selectively input.
 7. A job processing methodaccording to claim 6, further comprising: a position specifying step forspecifying which portion on said job data the page number to be deletedexists, in the event of deleting page number data from job data;wherein, in the event that a plurality of jobs have been selected insaid selecting step and said third instruction has been input, saidspecifying processing can be executed for each of said plurality of jobselected in said selecting step.
 8. A job processing method according toclaim 2, wherein said apparatus is capable of executing said boxfunctions and also capable of using said storage unit to execute atleast one of copy functions, printer function, facsimile functions, andtransmission functions, said method further comprising: a step forselecting one of said plurality of functions; wherein, in said controlstep, output data equivalent to data created by page number data beingdeleted from said selected job data within said storage unit for saidfunction, is generated.
 9. A job processing method according to claim 2,further comprising an output step for subjecting output data generatedin said control step to execution of output processing corresponding touser instructions made with regard to a plurality of types of outputprocessing including at least one of: first output processing whereinsaid generated output data is printed with a printer unit; second outputprocessing wherein said generated output data is transmitted to anotherapparatus capable of communicating with said apparatus; and third outputprocessing for storing said generated output data in said storage unit.10. A job processing method according to claim 2, wherein, in saidcontrol step, generating processing is executed corresponding ininstructions from a user regarding a plurality of types of generatingprocessing including at least one of: first generating processing forgenerating output data equivalent to data created by deleting the pagenumber data from box function job data selected in said selecting step;second generating processing for generating output data equivalent todata created by deleting the page number data from box function job dataselected in said selecting step and assigning new page number datathereto; and third generating processing for generating output dataequivalent to data created by leaving the page number data in the boxfunction job data selected in said selecting step and also assigning newpage number data thereto.
 11. A job processing method for an apparatushaving box functions capable of selectively outputting jobs stored in astorage unit capable of storing a plurality of jobs each independent onefrom another, said method comprising: a selecting step for selectingjobs in said storage unit with said box functions; and a control stepfor generating output data equivalent to data created by assigning bothchapter number data and page number data to said box function job dataselected in said selecting step.
 12. A job processing method accordingto claim 11, wherein, in said selecting step, one or a plurality of saidjobs for said box function within said storage unit can be selected; andwherein in said control step, in the event that one job is selected insaid selecting step, generating processing, for generating output dataequivalent to data created by assigning both chapter number data andpage number data to said box function job selected in said selectingstep, is forbidden, and in the event that a plurality of box functionjobs are selected in said selecting step, said generating processing ispermitted.
 13. A job processing method according to claim 12, furthercomprising: a display control step for displaying on a display unit afirst operating screen for selecting one or a plurality of jobs in saidstorage unit for said box functions, and then displaying a secondoperating screen having an instructing key for inputting a request forsaid generating processing; wherein, in said selecting step, one or aplurality of said box function jobs within said storage unit can beselected through said first operating screen; and wherein, in saidcontrol step, in the event that a request for said generating processingis input through user operations of said instructing key or saidoperating screen, control is performed so as to executed said generatingprocessing.
 14. A job processing method according to claim 13, wherein,in said control step, in the event that a plurality of said box functionjobs are selected in said selecting step, execution of said generatingprocessing is enabled by making user operations of said instructing keyon said second operating screen valid; and wherein in the event that oneof said box function jobs is selected in said selecting step, executionof said generating processing is forbidden by making user operations ofsaid instructing key on said second operating screen invalid.
 15. A jobprocessing method according to claim 11, wherein said apparatus iscapable of executing said box functions and also capable of using saidstorage unit to execute at least one of copy functions, printerfunctions, facsimile functions, and transmission functions, said methodfurther comprising: a step for selecting one of said plurality offunctions; wherein, in said control step, output data equivalent to datacreated by assigning both chapter number data and page number data tosaid box function job selected in said storage unit, can be generated.16. A job processing method according to claim 11, further comprising anoutput step for subjecting output data generated in said control step toexecution of output processing corresponding to user instructions madewith regard to a plurality of types of output processing including atleast one of: first output processing wherein said generated output datais printed with a printer unit; second output processing wherein saidgenerated output data is transmitted to another apparatus capable ofcommunicating with said apparatus; and third output processing forstoring said generated output data in said storage unit.
 17. A jobprocessing apparatus, having box functions capable of selectivelyoutputting jobs, said apparatus comprising: a storage unit capable ofstoring a plurality of jobs to be used by said box functions, eachindependent one from another; selecting means for selecting jobs in saidstorage unit with said box functions; and control means for generatingoutput data equivalent to data created by deleting page number data fromsaid box function job data selected in said selecting step.
 18. A jobprocessing apparatus, having box functions capable of selectivelyoutputting jobs, said apparatus comprising: a storage unit capable ofstoring a plurality of jobs to be used by said box functions, eachindependent one from another; selecting means for selecting jobs in saidstorage unit with said box functions; and control means for generatingoutput data equivalent to data created by assigning both chapter numberdata and page number data to said box function job data selected in saidselecting step.
 19. A program for causing an apparatus, having boxfunctions capable of selectively outputting jobs stored in a storageunit capable of storing a plurality of jobs each independent one fromanother, to execute a job processing method, said program comprising:code for a selecting step for selecting jobs in said storage unit withsaid box functions; and code for a control step for generating outputdata equivalent to data created by deleting page number data from saidbox function job data selected in said selecting step.
 20. A program forcausing an apparatus, having box functions capable of selectivelyoutputting jobs stored in a storage unit capable of storing a pluralityof jobs each independent one from another, to execute a job processingmethod, said program comprising: code for a selecting step for selectingjobs in said storage unit with said box functions; and code for acontrol step for generating output data equivalent to data created byassigning both chapter number data and page number data to said boxfunction job data selected in said selecting step.
 21. A storage medium,storing a program for causing an apparatus, having box functions capableof selectively outputting jobs stored in a storage unit capable ofstoring a plurality of jobs each independent one from another, toexecute a job processing method, said program comprising: code for aselecting step for selecting jobs in said storage unit with said boxfunctions; and code for a control step for generating output dataequivalent to data created by deleting page number data from said boxfunction job data selected in said selecting step.
 22. A storage medium,storing a program for causing an apparatus, having box functions capableof selectively outputting jobs stored in a storage unit capable ofstoring a plurality of jobs each independent one from another, toexecute a job processing method, said program comprising: code for aselecting step for selecting jobs in said storage unit with said boxfunctions; and code for a control step for generating output dataequivalent to data created by assigning both chapter number data andpage number data to said box function job data selected in saidselecting step.